Taiwo Jimoh 
An Ogun State High Court, in Ilaro, presided over by Justice A .A. Shobayo has halted plans to stop the murder case against one Elijah Adeogun and two others.
The Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State had two years ago arrested Elijah in con- nection with the death of Monday Eredua and Moruf Babakola in Ipetu Baba Ode community in the Ado Odo/ Ota Local Government area of the state.
The DSS in a statement, after the arrest of Elijah said “Following the receipt of the petition from the Adelupo Family of Ipetu Baba Ode Community, on May 10, over threat to life and murder of one Monday Eredua on November 17, 2021 and Moruf Babalola, on May 26, 2021, the tactical team of the command conducted a special operation which led to the arrest of Elijah and one other, Oyelekan Okunade.”
The Ogun DSS added that, “Adeogun has been on the wanted list of various security agencies in the state for various offences on land grabbing and killing of innocent people in our community.
“Whenever he kills anybody, he harvests their hands and heads. When Moruf Babalola was killed, his corpse was taken away by Adeogun boys.”
There was however confusion during the prosecution of the suspects, when the prosecutor O F Akinola prayed the court to adjourn the matter sine die on the instruction of the Solicitor General/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice. The prosecutor told the court that a meeting “is still on” on the matter and that the ministry needed ample time to conclude investigation on the matter.
However, HB Ogabi, who held brief for the complainant told the court that the principal witnesses in the case were in court and they were not part of the said meeting.
Principal Witness 1, Alhaji Agbalaya also told the court that the only meeting that was called by the Ministry of Justice was a land matter and not anything that has to do with settlement of the murder case.
While delivering her ruling, Justice Shobayo, said, “In the circumstances, this court holds the view that the prayer of the Prosecuting Counsel cannot be granted without the complainant being part of what is happening. “Justice of the case demands that the state should have recourse to the interest of all parties in the case.
The prayer is refused.” She therefore adjourned the case to January 21, 2025, “For further proceeding,” noting that “that is enough time for the state to know the next step to take and whether investigations would have been concluded.”
