By: Abdulhafeez Oyewole
Three former officers of the Kwara State Police Command have been remanded in Ilorin prison by an Ilorin Magistrate's Court, following charges related to the death of Qoyum Abdulyekeen Ishola, a National Diploma student of Electronic Engineering at the Kwara State Polytechnic.
The defendants, Mr. Abiodun Kayode, Mr. James Emmanuel, and Mr. Oni Philip, appeared before Magistrate Felicia Sha’ba on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
They are facing charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, contrary to Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code, for their alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of the student on September 4, 2024.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented by Police Prosecutor Olajide Emmanuel, the case was initially reported on September 5, 2024, through a distress call, and subsequently referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for detailed investigation by the Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya.
The incident occurred along Afolabi Olaleye Street, near Kayowa Filling Station in Ilorin. Abdulrahman Ero-Alujana, the victim’s grandfather, was notified by his brother, Yakubu, that his grandson had been found in a pool of blood.
Upon arriving at the scene, Ero-Alujana found Abdulqoyyum critically injured, who informed him that he had been attacked by a policeman. Despite being rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Abdulqoyyum succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations revealed that the three dismissed officers had abandoned their post at the Fate Roundabout and pursued the victim in front of Champion School.
During the altercation, Abdulqoyyum was reportedly stabbed in the hand and left to die in his pool of blood.
One of the accused, Oni Philip, confessed during the investigation that he had pursued the victim on the orders of Abiodun Kayode and later informed his colleagues after leaving Abdulqoyyum critically injured.
The investigation further implicated the three officers in conspiring to attack the victim, leading to his death.
As a result, the defendants have been charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide in connection with the tragic incident.
The case is set to proceed in court.
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