By Abiodun Bolujoko
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Friday remanded one Adeleke Benjamin and Adedeji Solomon for attempted armed robbery.
The accused persons were dragged before Magistrate Esther Abu for criminal conspiracy, attempted armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and attempt to commit an offence to wit Culpable homicide contrary to Sections 6(b), 2(a) and 2(3) of Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 95 of Penal Code Law.
According to Police First Information Report (FIR), the complainant, Mrs. Comfort Olupinla who resides at Olorunsogo area of Ilorin, Kwara State at about 1300hors on August 8, 2018 reported at ‘B’ Division, Adewole Area, Ilorin, that two hoodlums wanted to strangulate her to death.
The police report further said that, “On 7/08/2018 at about 1345hrs, one Mrs. Comfort Olupinla reported that two hoodlums; Adeleke Benjamin and Adedeji Solomon invaded her house with pretence to be Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) staff reading electricity meters.
“She further said that the duo deceived her by demanding for drinking water during which they gained entrance into her house and wanted to kill her with one cut-to-size gun and were strangling her.
“She raised an alarm which drew the attention of a passerby motorcyclist who rescued he while the hoodlums took to their heels.”
According to the FIR, the motorcyclist and other passerby gave the hoodlums a hot chase and later arrested them with a cut to size gun.
During investigation of the accused persons, they were said to have voluntarily confessed to have conspired to commit the crime.
However, during cross-examination, the accused persons pleaded not guilty of the offence.
The prosecution, Sergeant, Oderinde Abiodun, prayed the court to remand the duo in prison custody pending the completion of police investigation on the matter.
In his ruling, Magistrate Abu, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Prison, Ilorin while the case was adjourned to September 4, 2018.
