The four suspected killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, have been arraigned before a magistrates’ court in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The four defendants, Muhammed Shehu, 26; Mazaje Lawal, 40; Adamu Adamu, 60 and Awalu Abubakar, 25 were arrested two weeks ago by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, nine months after the deceased was killed along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway at Ore in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The defendants were arraigned on Friday on three counts of conspiracy, kidnapping and murder.
The defendants who had no representation in court, however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kola Olawoye, who represented the state, announced to the court that the state was ready to take over the case.
The counsel asked the court to remand the four defendants in prison and allow the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to first conduct COVID -19 test on them before moving them to the Owo Correctional centre.
The case was adjourned till June 3, 2020, for advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution
