Two men, Mustapha Bello, a 32-year-old carpenter, and Oladele Damilare, a 25-year-old barber, made a court appearance on Monday at the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, facing severe charges related to the alleged unlawful possession of a human head and desecration of the dead.
The defendants are accused of conspiracy, unlawful possession, and interfering with the deceased, which are serious offenses under Nigerian law.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Femi Oluwadare, the men allegedly committed a heinous act on August 12, exhuming the corpse of Suliyat Olasunkanmi, a 36-year-old woman, from her grave without any legal justification.
The defendants then proceeded to cut off her head and hands, further desecrating the deceased. The prosecutor’s allegations suggest a disturbing disregard for human life and dignity.
The court will now deliberate on the evidence presented and determine the fate of the two defendants, who face severe penalties if found guilty of the charges brought against them.
“It was the carpenter, Olasunkami, who works around the area where the corpse was buried and they went back to cut off her head and hands the next day,” the prosecutor told the court.
He said the offences contravened Sections 242 (1) (b), 329 A and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendants are liable to two years in prison for indecently interfering with the dead and five years for possession of a human head if found guilty.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate M. Mudashiru admitted the defendants to N200,000 bail each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Mudashiru said one of the sureties must be a blood relation, while the other surety must have N5 million balance in his/her bank account.
He adjourned the matter until Oct. 21, for hearing.
on 20 August, 2024 | 
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