Twelve of the 25 students from Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, charged with murder were discharged by the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Monday.
The students were arraigned on June 5 on charges of conspiracy, murder, and negligence. Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi had initially ordered their remand in a correctional facility pending legal advice.
The 12 students discharged are Kehinde Martins, Samuel Okorie, Mustapha Khalid, Yusuf Adeniran, Joseph Areoye, Iyanuoluwa Oyelakin, Obaloluwa Olalekan, Emmanuel Adejumobi, John Daudu, Moses Abiola, Hammad Tijani, and David Kolawole. Ogunkanmi stated that the legal advice indicated no evidence linking these students to the alleged offenses, leading to their release.
Femi Oladoye, a security guard at the university and one of the defendants, was also charged with negligence of duty. He was granted bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case has been adjourned until July 8 for further mention.
Prosecutor CSP Funke Fawole reported that the defendants allegedly caused the death of 22-year-old Jefry Akro, a student at the university, by beating him with planks and electrical wires on May 24. Fawole also stated that Oladoye failed to prevent the students from attacking Akro, leading to charges of negligence against him. The offenses were said to contravene Sections 516, 515, and 324 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
