On Tuesday, an Ilorin Magistrate’s Court in Kwara State ordered the remand of Sultan Ojuwoni Atakoro, an Ibadan-based social media celebrity and herbalist, and one Olaitan Ibrahim Olalekan.
After the Kwara State Police Command arraigned them for alleged rape and arson, the duo was ordered to be held at the Correctional Service Centre Oke-Kura in Ilorin.
They will be detained until January 17, 2024.
According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), Atakoro serially raped and set burned a 21-year-old female, Firdaos Jimoh, in his shrine in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the help of Olalekan, as well as one Ms Omowumi and her children, who are still at large.
The suspects who were arraigned on offences of criminal conspiracy, unlawful trial by ordeal, rape, causing grievous bodily hurt by dangerous means and attempt to commit culpable homicide, contrary to Sections 97, 214, 283, and 229 of the Penal Code Law”, attempted to make a plea but were turned down.
Magistrate Kolawole Aluko who did not take the plea of the suspects when the FIR was read to them, said the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the offences for which they were charged.
He, however, listened to the submissions of the prosecution and counsel for the second defendant after which he ordered the remand of the suspects and adjourned the case till January 17, 2024 for mention.
The magistrate said the offences for which the suspects were charged are not ordinarily bailable.