Court remands teenagers over murder of RCCG pastor
Farouk Mohammed, 16, and Kasali Jamiu, 19, were remanded to the Special Correctional Centre for Boys, Oregun, and the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, respectively, on Thursday by a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
They were accused of killing Pastor Babatunde Dada, 46, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and Justice Sherifat Sonaike remanded them.
On January 12, 2022, the couple appeared in a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court, together with two others, Mumuni Toheeb, 21, and Mubarak Soliu, 20, for allegedly stealing the dead man’s Spark S Techno phone, worth at N60,000.
The case against Mohammed and Jamiu was heard on February 14, and Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun Adeola ruled that probable cause existed.
She followed the DPP’s recommendation and decided to have the two teens tried in High Court.
Adeola, on the other hand, let Toheeb and Soliu go after the DPP recommended it.
On Thursday, the issue was called for arraignment, as reported by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins.
The first defendant, represented by Mr. Oyekanmi Isijola, entered his appearance, and the second defendant, represented by Mr. I. G. Ofoyeju, did the same.
Four charges, including conspiracy to kill, murder, conspiracy to conduct robbery, and armed robbery, were brought against the defendants during their arraignment.
Martins testified that on December 2, 2021 at noon, at the RCCG, Road 13, 6th Avenue, FESTAC area of Lagos, the defendants planned among themselves and allegedly murdered Dada.
According to him, the victim was struck to death with a wooden board and a bottle.
The prosecution further claimed that the dead man’s backpack and phone were stolen by the two suspects.
The offenders pled not guilty after being arraigned.
Justice Sonaike accepted their arguments and postponed the trial to November 29 by ordering their confinement in jail.
Join our 100,000+ members and never miss our members’ exclusive Delsu Breaking News.
Gain Access to Our Private News Room
Popular Stories right now
- Ex-Senate President David Mark’s son dies
- Handling a toxic relationship
- Buhari honours Jonathan, Wike, others with service awards
