Seven suspects linked to the murder of a final-year student, Mojisola Awesu, have pleaded not guilty before Justice Ibrahim Yusuf at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria.
The suspects, who were previously remanded in a correctional facility due to the absence of their legal counsel, were present in court for the hearing on Tuesday. Awesu was a student of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, before she was allegedly lured to Ilorin and killed.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Idowu Akande, urged the court to proceed with the hearing after the suspects entered their pleas. However, the defense counsel argued they were unprepared, as the case had been scheduled only for arraignment, not for a full hearing. In response, Justice Yusuf adjourned proceedings until March 12, 2025.
Among the accused, Happiness Adebayo and Timileyin Kolawole are the prime suspects alleged to have conspired in the murder of Awesu on August 9, 2024. Happiness and his parents, Adeniyi and Bukola, face charges of evidence tampering and conspiracy under the Kwara State Penal Code Law of 2006.
Meanwhile, three other suspects—Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus—stand accused of conspiring to dispose of Awesu’s body at a dumpsite in Warah community, Ilorin, an act punishable under the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, 2018.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with calls for justice for the deceased student.
