Court Remands Beniniose Couple, One Other Over Alleged Killing of Ikorodu Man

Court Remands Beniniose Couple, One Other Over Alleged Killing of Ikorodu Man

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a Beniniose couple and an alleged accomplice before an Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court over the alleged murder of a 45-year-old man, Mr. Ayoola Bello, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

The suspects — Sunday Sojunu, 35; his wife, Toyin Sojunu, 31; and Dare Sampson, 32 — were arraigned on Wednesday on a three-count charge bordering on murder. Their pleas were not taken.

Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. O. Adeosun, ordered that the two male defendants be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, while the female defendant was remanded at the Kirikiri Female Correctional Facility. The court further directed that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice and adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the suspects were arrested on November 24 following investigations by detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dayo Akinbisehin.

According to the prosecution, Toyin, said to be a TikTok content creator, met the deceased on the social media platform, where they became acquainted. On September 15, she allegedly travelled to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, under the pretext of going to the Benin Republic, and spent two days with the deceased at a hotel.

The prosecutor further alleged that Toyin later disclosed the relationship to her husband, after which the couple allegedly conspired to lure Mr. Bello to their residence in Ikorodu, with the assistance of the third suspect.

It was alleged that the deceased was held captive and ransom demanded from his family before he was eventually killed, with his remains later disposed of in a remote area of the state.

The offences, according to the prosecution, contravene Sections 165, 222, and 233 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Reacting at the court premises, the daughter of the deceased, Miss Afusat Bello, alleged irregular financial transactions shortly before and after her father’s disappearance.

She said the family transferred about ₦76,000 to individuals who claimed they would facilitate a business arrangement, after which communication abruptly stopped. Calls were reportedly ignored or met with excuses.

Miss Bello added that subsequent efforts to reach her father were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off. Upon accessing the account used for the transaction, the family allegedly discovered multiple unusual withdrawals at odd hours, which she described as inconsistent with her father’s financial pattern.

She further claimed that a man who later came to demand additional money was linked to the earlier transaction, raising further suspicion.

The family has appealed to relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the financial dealings and circumstances surrounding Mr. Bello’s death, insisting they are seeking justice and clarity.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, has reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.