Four principal suspects alleged to have carried out the killing of the 25-year-old driver, Temitope Olorunfemi, in Akure, the Ondo state capital, were paraded on Monday.
The suspects; Ismaila Durotoye(32), Farotimi Pelumi(42), Olatunji Samuel (20), and Amos Victor (30), were paraded by the police before reporters at the State Command headquarters, Alagbaka, Akure.
Recall that Mr Olorunfemi was lynched by a mob who alleged that he was an internet fraudster “Yahoo Boy” after his car hit no fewer than eight persons.
One of the victims involved in the fatal accident died instantly while six persons sustained life-threatening injuries. The injured were rushed to the hospital.
Peoples Gazette had reported how a Toyota Camry vehicle belonging to the deceased was also set ablaze by the mob.
Police spokesperson in Ondo, Funmi Odunlami-Omisanya, said the suspects were among seven others nabbed in connection with the brutal killing of Mr Olorunfemi.
“I’m glad to announce to you that seven suspects were arrested and put into custody, but we have decided to parade these four principal suspects out of them,” Mrs Odunlami-Omisanya added.
She revealed that the suspects would be charged in court for “murder and arson”, stressing the police were still on the trail of other suspects in the crime.
“So, other suspects are still assisting us with our investigation but we would charge all of them to court as soon as we are through with our findings.
While condemning the violent killing of Mr Olorunfemi, the Ondo police image maker said that it was “totally wrong” for citizens to result to jungle justice.
“Unfortunately, these men (suspects) ought to have helped the deceased but they resulted in jungle justice, and don’t forget that we have continued to reiterate that such criminal act is illegal,” she said.
The Gazette reports that the suspects were arrested after they were sighted in a viral amateur video clip on social media after the killing of Mr Olorunfemi.
One of the suspects, Mr Amos denied killing the victim but admitted boxing him while he was lying in the drainage after being beaten to a stupor by the mob.
Another suspect, Mr Durotoye denied partaking in the crime, stressing that he was not around when the incident occurred.
The suspect, a commercial motorcyclist, said he was arrested by the police around the Idi-Agba Titun Area of Akure after he was shown a photograph of someone who looks like him.
In a related development, the victim was buried on Monday buried amid tears by family and friends.
Mr Olorunfemi was buried at his family house on Oda Road in the Akure South Local Council Area of the state.
His mother, Mrs Mojisola Olorunfemi maintained her son’s innocence, stating that he was a bolt driver and not an internet fraudster as he was accused.
She, however, asked the police to prosecute those who killed his son by ensuring justice is served.
