Friends organize one year remembrance for murdered abeokuta couple

The friends of the murdered coupled in Abeokuta Ogun State Capital on January 1, 2023 have concluded arrangements for a one-year remembrance service for the deceased, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Christ Anglican Church, Iporo Ake, Abeokuta

Penpushing reports that it is recalled that the Fatinloyes were killed at their resident located Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ibara in the town, shortly after returning from a cross over New Year church service in an organized crime allegedly plotted by their driver, Lekan

The suspected arsonists believed to have trailed the couple to their private residence before setting the home ablaze, and also whisked away the son of the victims, whose corpse was later retrieved from a river along Adigbe-Obada axis of the town.

Penpushing further reports that the husband, Kehinde Fatinoye was a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while the wife, Bukola before her gruesome death was a staff of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNNAB), Abeokuta

The victims were burnt beyond recognition with their remains later packed by policemen and other health officials at the scene, and drove to the hospital in an ambulance, while hundreds of symphatizers at the house were seen profusely crying over the sad development.

Penpushing also reports that number of church colleagues of the couple who rushed to the house shortly after the spread of the news, confirmed that they held the crossover service together at a church located in Okejigbo area of Abeokuta.

The symphatizers from the church said they could not believe their ears on hearing the ugly development, saying they suspect that the arsonists might have trailed the couple to their home to carry out the callous crime

Penpushing reports that a cousin of the late Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official, Ambrose Somide who was crying profusely while speaking with Penpushing Media confirmed the sad incident, lamenting over the loss.

The deceased cousin, who is the Managing Director Radio Services of Daar Communications could not control his emotion over the sad loss of the couple, stressing that he could not explain what might be behind the development

Penpushing further reports that the remains of the couple were buried on Monday, twenty-four hours after the sad incident, after a burial service held at Christ Anglican Church, Iporo-Ake area of the town which was conducted by Rev S.K Oyewale ,and was attended by the families and large number of sypmphatizers, with the church and premises full to capacity.

The Chairman Editorial Board of Penpushing Media Funke Fadugba led some members of the organization to the burial service and also paid a condolence visit to a member of the family, Ambrose Somide, who is the Managing Director Radio Services of Daar Communications.

Penpushing further reports that the deceased families and symphatizers could not hold back tears at the burial service and during interment, as many rained curses on the suspected arsonists who carried out the callous crime.

The cleric in his sermon lamented the sudden death of the couple, who before their untimely death were part of congregation at the church for a crossover service ahead of the New Year, however, called for justice and requested the authorities to conduct diligent investigation to unravel those behind the heinous crime, with conviction that God will deal appropriately with the perpetrators

Penpushing also reports that the clergyman in the order of service took his Bible reading from 1: Thessalonians 4: 13-18, while the hymns include ‘Forever with the Lord’, ‘Who are the like stars appearing’ and ‘On the resurrection Morning’

The remains of the couple’s son Oreoluwa Fatinoye who was abducted and thrown into a river were in similar sad development committed to mother earth on Tuesday by the family after a brief service conducted by the church at the cemetery situated along Kobape-Siun dual carriage road in Abeokuta.

Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun issued a marching order to the police command in the state, to go after the killers describing the incident as unfortunate and heart-breaking, vowing that his administration would not hesitate to deploy resources with the view of unmasking persons behind the dastard act, stressing that the police must go after them and apprehend them.

The Governor pointed out that the incident shocked him, particularly when efforts had been geared by his administration towards strengthening the security architecture within the state, and while expressing his sympathy to the families of the deceased, however, assured them that the murder would be unravelled and persons responsible would be brought to justice, stressing that no effort would be spared in bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

Penpushing also reports that the Governor disclosed that logistic support would be rendered to the police to ensure that the crime does not go down as one of the unresolved murder incident in history, and equally assured residents of the state that his administration would continue to do everything to provide adequate security of both lives and property.

‘My heart goes out to the families of Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye. The incident indeed shocked me, as it was unfortunate and tragic. I can imagine the pains the families would be going through at this period when everyone is still basking in euphoria of the New Year’, he said.

‘This is a grievous crime, no doubt. I have directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that everything is done in order to arrest the people behind the dastard act. I assure you that the perpetrators will not go unpunished. Such an heinous crime should not go without making the people responsible face the full wrath of the law’, Abiodun added.

‘Though, our administration had since strengthened the security architecture in the state, we shall continue to provide logistics to the security agencies in order to make our state the safest to live, work and play. Let me reiterate that no effort will be spared to ensure security of lives and property of our people”, the governor stated.

Penpushing reports that weeks after Lekan Adekanbi(27), the couple’s driver who masterminded the murder was arrested alongside other suspects which include Odetola Ahmed(29), Adeniyi Waheed(23), Fadairo Temitope(26), Adekanbi Adenike(50),and Owolaja Anuoluwapo(25).

The seven accused persons charged to magistrate court were facing a 11- court charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, felony, arson, setting properties ablaze, stealing, escape from lawful authority, amongst others.

Penpushing further reports that the Prosecutor Miss Oluwatosin Jackson, at the court moved a motion experte pursuant to section 306 of administration of Criminal Justice laws of Ogun State, praying for an order of the court to remand the defendants.

The prosecutor it is recalled in her prayer asked the court to remand the defendants for 60 days in the first instance at Correctional Centre located in Oba town, pending legal advice from the office of the state Director of Public prosecution (DPP)

Penpushing also reports that the prosecuting counsel in the charge sheet said, the suspected killers, Lekan, Ahmed and Waheed, committed the offences on January 1, 2023, at about 1:30am at Government Reservation Area (GRA) Ibara Abeokuta.

The prosecutor emphasized that the defendants conspired among themselves and killed 57-year-old Kehinde Fatinoye, a staff of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by piercing his neck with knife, while his wife and Bukola Fatinoye(50) was smashed with hammer on her head which led to her death.

Penpushing reports that the prosecutor said the defendants in the same vein killed the only surviving 26-year-old child of the couple Oreoluwa, by pushing him into Ogun River which subsequently led to his death.

The prosecutor added that the accused stole six phones of the deceased, valued N1.5million and one Hyundai car valued N12million at gun point, and later set the couple ablaze in their private residence, pointing out that Temitope Fadairo, Adenike Adekanbi, Owolabi Anuoluwapo and Usman Azeez were brought to the court following their involvement to commit felony to with accessory after the fact of murder

Penpushing further reports that Jackson in the charge sheet said Temitope and Adenike assisted Lekan(ring leader of the gangs)  in relocating and hiding him at Akinbade axis of Obantoko area in Abeokuta, by preventing the police from arresting him, while  Azeez and Anuoluwapo conspired among themselves to buy the deceased car stolen from the compound

The prosecutor emphasized that  the offences committed contravenes section 316,319(1)516,443,324 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006 and Sec 1(2)(b) of the robbery and firearms special provisions Act Cap Rll laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Penpushing reports that in her ruling the Chief Magistrate II, Justice Esther Idowu, ordered that the accused Lekan, Ahmed, Waheed, Anuoluwapo and Azeez be remanded in Correctional Centre, while  Temitope and Adenike, sent to  Correctional Center at Ibara in Abeokuta  for 60 days, pending legal advice from the office of the state Director of Public prosecution (DPP), and thereafter adjourned the case till April 17, 2023  for mention

Meanwhile, a year after apprehension of the accused they were still being remanded at the mentioned correctional centre, where they were been taken to court for prosecution, as deceased family and members of the public called for speedy justice in view of the confession by the accused to the crime.

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