71-year-old Ondo farmer killed, buried in shallow grave

Akure—A 71-year-old farmer, Toyo Olanipekun, has been killed and buried on his farm at Igbobini, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Consequently, a 36-year-old motorcyclist, Blessing Akinmade, has been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command, after he reportedly buried the corpse in a shallow grave.

Sources alleged that the victim was killed over a disputed land between Igbobini and Irele community.

The victim’s corpse, according to a source, was discovered in a shallow grave behind a primary school in the community by a search team, which went looking for him after he failed to return home from the farm on the ill-fated day.

Vanguard learned that following an intelligent report, Akinmade was arrested by police detectives and interrogated.

The police, thereafter, dragged him before an Akure Magistrate’s Court sitting at Oke-Eda over alleged murder.

Akinmade was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

Police prosecutor, Abdulateef Sulaiman told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence on June 24, 2024, at about 9 a.m., at Igbobini.

Sulaiman informed the court that Akinmade unlawfully killed a 71-year-old man, Toyo Olanipekun, and buried him in a shallow grave.

The offences, according to the charge contravene sections 324, 316, 319 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 7, Volume 1 laws of Ondo State, 2026.

Sulaiman prayed the court to remand the defendant through an application, in prison custody pending the issuance of advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

However, the defence counsel, H. Orisatimehin pleaded for an adjournment to enable his client to react to the application sought by the prosecution.

Ruling, the trail Magistrate, Temilola Olusola-Olujobi, adjourned the case till July 8, 2024, for the parties to move their applications.

Olusola-Olujobi, ordered that the defendant to be remanded at any police station pending the date of adjournment.