Four Osogbo-based men accused of murder and illegal possession of firearms were on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the Inspector General of Police (IGP) filed two criminal charges against them.

The defendants, Adejare Waliyu, Kilanko Ismaila Damilare, Kehinde Adeola and Muheeb Taoheeb, appeared before Justice Binta Fatima Nyako over allegations that they fatally shot one Sheriff during a political crisis in Osogbo, Osun State.

According to the prosecution, led by Mr Adeniyi Oyeyemi on behalf of the IGP, Adejare Waliyu was charged in the first count with unlawful possession of a prohibited pump action rifle, an offence said to be contrary to Section 27 of the Firearms Act.

In the second count, all four defendants were accused of using the said firearm to kill Sheriff, an offence alleged to contravene Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.

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The prosecution told the court that the offences were committed between August 26 and November 28, 2022, in Osun State.

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When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.

While the prosecution sought a date for the commencement of trial, defence counsel, Mr Okon Ita, urged the court to transfer the case to Osogbo, where the alleged offences occurred. He argued that the incident took place in Osogbo and that all prosecution witnesses reside in the Osun State capital.

The lawyer acknowledged that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction nationwide but maintained that, for administrative convenience and in the interest of justice, the matter should be heard in the location where the alleged crime was committed.

The IGP’s counsel opposed the request. However, Justice Nyako agreed with the defence and ordered that the case be moved to the Osogbo Division of the Federal High Court, citing administrative convenience and the fact that the alleged murder occurred there.

Pending the transfer of the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/655/2022, the court directed that the defendants remain in custody at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.