Court Remands Teenagers Over Murder Of RCCG Pastor In Festac

A Yaba Chief Magistrate Court on Wednesday, remanded two teenagers, Farouk Mohammed 16, and Kasali Jamiu 19,who were fingered in the murder of a 46-year-old Redeemed Christian Church of God’s (RCCG) pastor in Festac, Lagos.

The suspects were remanded at Special Correctional Centres for Boys Oregun and Ikoyi Prison respectively on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

The duo were arrested after they allegedly stabbed Babatunde Dada, to death on December 3, 2021, and fled with his bag containing some money.

They were charged alongside two other suspects, Mumuni Toheeb, 21 and Mubarak Soliu, 20, who allegedly received a Spark S Techno phone valued at N60,000 belonging to the deceased.

The Prosecuting lawyer with State Criminal Investigation Department Panti, Mr Julio Hodonu, told the court that he brought an application for the remand of the suspects for the first 30 days.

The defendants are facing a three count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder and receiving of stolen item, preferred against them by the Police.

Hodonu said that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on December 3, 2022.

He said that the incident took place at Road 13, 6th Avenue Festac Town, in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State.

The prosecutor said that Farouk and Jamiu conspired amongst themselves and unlawfully killed one Babatunde Dada, by stabbing and clubbing him to death with a bottle and wood.

He also said that Toheeb and Mumuni, on December 3, 2021, at Ijora Badia, received a Spark S Techno Phone worth N60,000, property of one Babatunde Dada (the deceased).

According to the prosecutor the offences committed is punishable under Sections 411, 223 and 328 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

Mr Oyekanmi Isijola, announced his appearance for the first defendant Farouk Mohammed, while S. A. Adewale appeared for the third and fourth defendants.

The second defendant, Kasali Jamiu, had no legal representative. Meanwhile the prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants for the first 30 days pending the DPP’s advice.

But Isijola, raised an objection that the first defendant is a minor and should not be remanded in prison ,but a juvenile centre.

The first defendant is a minor , he is a 16 year old boy, he is not 18 years we are saying that he should go to juvenile centre, he was born in 2005, he is 16 and he would be 17 years old this year.” he said.

However Magistrate Balogun ordered that the first defendant should be remanded at Special Correctional Centres for Boys Oregun and the second defendant Ikoyi Prison respectively.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate granted Mumuni Toheeb and Mubarak Soliu bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She said that the sureties must show proof of employment, proof of source of income, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government and have their addresses verified.

The case was adjourned till February 14, 2022, for DPP’s advice.