Nine persons have been remanded for allegedly kidnapping and killing six girls for ritual purposes.
They were remanded by an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State on Friday.
The defendants are Moses Aruwaji, 45; Adebayo Azeez, 32; Mariam Aruwaji, 42; Akinwunmi, 20; and Sheriff Agbani, 23.
Others are Samuel Monday, 42; Osojieahon Aijonohouria, 24; Peter Oluwalolese, 48; and Jamiu Yufuf, 48.
The defendants were charged with kidnapping, murder, robbery, and conspiracy.
According to Police Prosecutor, CSP Adaramola Felix, the defendants and others still at large committed the offences between September 28, 2023, and January 11.
Felix said the defendants conspired among themselves to kidnap and kill the victims—Sulaimon Adijat, Lucy Blessing, Lawal Adunni, Olarewaju Abosede, Ezeh Chom, and one Pretty—for ritual purposes.
They were also alleged to have robbed Adijat of her cellphone, valued at N70,000.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 23(2), 24(2), 319(2), and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr D. O. I’ll, who did not take the pleas of the defendants, said they should be remanded in Ibara Correctional Centre, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
She adjourned the case until May 8 for further hearings.
