By Abiodun Bolujoko
The Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday, remanded three middle-aged men; Rilwan Adeshina Abdulraheem, Abdulganiyu Olaitan Aminu and Abdulkadir Bamidele over alleged possession of hand suspected to be human part for alleged ritual purpose.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), “On 09/08/2018 at about 1818hrs, a patrol team led by one Insp. Olowobibi Bamidele attached to Operation Harmony, Kwara State Police Command while on duty along Airport road, Ilorin, Kwara State arrested Rilwan, Abdulganiyu and Abdullahi of Adabata area Ilorin, with hand suspected to be human part.”
When interrogated, the suspects were unable to give satisfactory account of the item found in their possession. The development was said to have led detectives to a nearby bush along Ogbomosho -Ilorin Express way where a mutilated corpse of an unknown middle aged man was found without hands.
According to the FIR, investigation conducted at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligent Department, Ilorin, revealed that the trio conspired, went to Ogbomosho–Ilorin Expressway where the corpse of an unknown person was discovered and taken to a nearby bush where they removed the left hand for ritual purpose.
The suspects reportedly confessed to have committed the dastardly acts and a cutlass used in cutting off the hand from the corpse was recovered from the house of Rilwan who also led his cohorts to where the corpse was found and scene of the crime.
Rilwan, who pleaded guilty, said he wanted to use the hand for money rituals, adding that he came across the notepad of an Islamic cleric where he read on how to be successful using human bones and agama lizard.
However, Abdulganiyu and Abdulkadir who pleaded not guilty said they were coming from Eyenkorin area when they met Rilwan with a bag, claiming the content was herbs. They were however intercepted at the police checkpoint, Airport road.
Magistrate Kudirat Yahaya charged the trio for criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of human parts contrary to Sections 97 and 219 of Penal Code.
The prosecutor however prayed the court to remand the three accused persons in prison custody as they may likely commit similar offence if released on bail.
The magistrate ordered the remand of the accused persons and the case adjourned to 3rd September, 2018.
