Akure Court Orders Remand of Suspected Farmer's Killer

In a troubling incident, an Akure Chief Magistrate Court has ruled that a 24-year-old laborer, Sunday Clement, be remanded in the Olokuta Correctional Centre. Clement is facing allegations of beheading a 30-year-old farmer, Taye Alatoye.

Clement, whose address remains undisclosed, was apprehended by the Ondo State Police Command after the gruesome incident, which occurred as the victim was en route to his farm.

Reports indicate that on the day of the tragedy, both Clement and Alatoye were on their way to the farm together. Suddenly, Clement moved backward, brandishing a sharpened cutlass, and viciously attacked Alatoye, severing his neck without apparent provocation.

Following his arrest, Clement was brought before the court, where he faced a charge of murder.

The police prosecutor, Mary Adebayo, stated that the defendant committed the heinous act on September 4, 2023, around 2:30 pm at Baba Odun Camp in Ofosu, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Adebayo explained that Clement used a cutlass to fatally wound Alatoye, an act that violated Sections 316 and 319 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.

Adebayo, in her remand application, urged the court to detain the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre until guidance is received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In his plea for forgiveness, the defendant shared that he was under the influence of illicit substances, specifically Crystal methamphetamine, also known as 'ice,' and marijuana, on the day of the incident.

"We were both walking to the farm, and we exchanged greetings on the path," Clement stated. "Suddenly, I was overcome, and I heard a voice telling me to attack the man with the cutlass in my hand, which I did. As soon as it happened, I regained my senses and began crying before the police arrested me."

Chief Magistrate Folasade Aduroja refrained from accepting Clement's plea due to jurisdiction constraints.

In compliance with the prosecutor's request, Aduroja ordered the defendant's remand in the Custodial Centre and directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the DPP for legal guidance.

The case is scheduled for further proceedings on November 28, 2023.