Cleric, 70, Son Docked For Culpable Homicide

An Ilorin-based cleric, Ibigbemi Ajayi, 70, and his 17-year-old son, Joel, have been arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrate’s Court for attempted murder and culpable homicide.The suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit culpable homicide contrary to sections 97, 271, 248 and 229 of the Penal Code Law.
According to the police first information report (FIR), the charges preferred against the accused followed a petition written by one lawyer, Pastor Ayoade John of No. 16, Sulu Gambari Road, Ilorin, alleging that the cleric engaged him and his wife as Bible Study teachers on Saturdays and Sundays at a church without being paid.The FIR stated that, “On June 1, 2014 at about 20:00 hours, you, Prophet Ibigbemi Ajayi and your son Joel Ajayi, criminally conspired and went to the room of the petitioner to beat him with criminal charm and his right hand swelled, simply because he answered a phone call while you are speaking with him. On June 13, 2014 at about 20:00 hours, the petitioner met you for settlement when you, Ibigbemi Ajayi and Joel Ajayi, conspired together and beat him up with a stick and he sustained [a] fracture on his right hand and also shot at him, causing him to sustain injuries on his stomach as a result of slight touch of the pellet. You hereby committed the above offences.”The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the police prosecutor, Yusuf Nasri, opposed their bail application, stating that the police have “overwhelming evidences” against them.In his ruling, the trial chief magistrate, A. M. Ibrahim, granted the accused bail on the grounds that the duo had enjoyed police bail prior to their arraignment.Ibrahim granted the bail of N250, 000 with two sureties each, while the case was adjourned till August 13 for further mention.