In the ongoing trial of three individuals accused of being involved in a criminal society known as ‘IBILE’ and charged with the alleged murder of Owolabi Ajibola, Inspector Usang Otu, a key prosecution witness, shed light on the investigation during a court session held on Monday at the Lagos State High Court situated at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

Otu, who is a member of the police force, testified to the court regarding the discovery made during his investigation. He revealed that the individual who initially reported the case of conspiracy and murder was none other than the father of the deceased, Baale Idowu.

The defendants facing trial for their alleged involvement in the unlawful society group ‘IBILE’ and the subsequent killing of Owolabi Ajibola are Jemilu Adamu, Babatunde Gbenga, and Jimoh Idris. The charges leveled against them by the Lagos State Government encompass two counts: conspiracy, unlawful society association, and murder.

During Monday’s proceedings, the state prosecuting counsel, E. O. Anyabisi, led Inspector Otu through his testimony. Otu disclosed that, in the course of the investigation, the deceased’s father stated that the first defendant and his associates were affiliated with a group called “IBILE.” According to the deceased’s father, on April 22, 2018, a confrontation escalated into a fight as the group intercepted the deceased on his way home from work. The altercation resulted in the deceased being chased, overpowered, and fatally stabbed in the chest.

Inspector Otu, who was stationed at the Rapid Response Squad in Tolu Divisional Police Headquarters, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, at the time of the incident, detailed his involvement in the case. He conveyed that, following the deceased’s father’s identification of the first defendant as a suspect in the conspiracy and murder, the first defendant was apprehended.

The witness stated, “The first defendant was interrogated by me and the Divisional Police Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Uduak, and in the presence of the complainant, the first defendant confessed to belonging to a group called Ibile Boys.”

According to the confession, on the day of the incident, the first defendant and his group, numbering 23, had an altercation with the deceased. During the confrontation, one individual from the group, Alome, brandished a knife, which was later taken by another group member, Adejo, who subsequently used it to stab the deceased in the chest. The group fled the scene, leaving the deceased behind. Sadly, by the time he was transported to the hospital, he had succumbed to his injuries.

In his testimony, Inspector Otu also described his visit to the hospital on April 23, 2018, where he witnessed the lifeless body of the deceased. Despite the circumstances surrounding the case, the deceased’s family did not consent to an autopsy. The deceased was laid to rest following Muslim rites, and due to the gravity of the matter, the case file and the defendants were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.

During cross-examination by the defense counsels for the first and third defendants, Lekan Egberungbe, and for the second defendant, Mary Jibueze, Inspector Otu clarified that he was not present at the station when the deceased’s father initially reported the case, nor was he responsible for apprehending the second and third defendants.

Justice Adesanya adjourned the case until November 1 and 2, 2023, for the continuation of the trial. The accused trio was arraigned on June 1, 2023, before Justice Yetunde Adesanya.

According to the state prosecuting counsel, Olayemi Shofolu, the alleged offenses took place on April 22, 2018, at Odus Bus Stop near Kirikiri Road, Olodi Apapa. The defendants are accused of unlawfully taking the life of Ajibola, and they are purportedly associated with an illegal society called ‘IBILE,’ thereby contravening Sections 223 and 42 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

Despite the charges brought against them, the defendants pleaded not guilty, and Justice Adesanya adjourned the case until October 30, 2023, for the commencement of the trial.