A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has ordered the remand of three men accused of murdering retired Ogun State Television broadcaster, Ms. Kitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, pending legal advice from the Ogun State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Chief Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo of Court 3 on Monday directed that the suspects be held at the Oba Correctional Centre for an initial period of 60 days after granting an ex parte application filed by the Nigeria Police.
The suspects, identified as Sodeinde Olajunwon Phillip, Sobu Obafunsho and Shakirudeen Ayoola, are being investigated over the alleged killing of the two victims at Oyesiku’s residence in Agodo, Abeokuta.
Presenting the application before the court, the legal officer attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, Assistant Superintendent Abiodun, told the court that the request, dated July 6, sought an order remanding the suspects while the DPP reviews the case file and issues legal advice for their arraignment before a court with the appropriate jurisdiction.
He explained that the application was brought pursuant to Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Ogun State, 2017, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
According to the police lawyer, the application was supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit deposed to by ASP Saka of the homicide section of the SCID, along with 17 exhibits and a written address.
He urged the court to grant the request in the interest of justice.
After considering the application, Chief Magistrate Odubanjo granted the relief sought by the police and adjourned the matter until September 10, 2026.
Speaking with journalists after the court session, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that the suspects would remain in custody pending the outcome of the DPP’s review.
“The suspects have been remanded for 60 days on court order pending the legal advice from the DPP for the continuation of the case,” he said.
He added that the suspects had been brought before the court in connection with the killing of Oyesiku and her security guard, assuring the public that the command would pursue the matter diligently.
“The Ogun State Police Command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni is assuring everyone that justice will be served and that no stone will be left unturned to ensure justice prevails in this matter,” Babaseyi stated.
The case stems from the discovery of Oyesiku and Adetayo’s bodies at the retired broadcaster’s residence in June after residents reportedly raised concerns over unusual activities around the property.
Police investigators said they found evidence of forced entry and signs of a struggle.
Adetayo’s body was discovered at the security post, while Oyesiku was found dead inside the residence.
Her Lexus RX330 SUV, which had initially been reported missing, was later recovered during the investigation.
At an earlier press briefing, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed that detectives recorded a major breakthrough after recovering a note inside the stolen vehicle.
The document was subjected to forensic examination, which reportedly led investigators to the prime suspect.
According to the commissioner, the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajunwon Phillip, 22, was arrested on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of two other suspects identified as Shakirudeen Ayoola, 27, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, a bricklayer.
Police alleged that Phillip confessed to coordinating the attack, claiming he acted out of grievances arising from his previous employment as Oyesiku’s security guard and intended to “teach her a lesson”.
Investigators further alleged that the suspects first overpowered Adetayo before using him to gain access to Oyesiku’s residence, where both victims were killed.
The police also said intelligence-led and technical tracking operations led to the recovery of the stolen Lexus RX330 in the Onikolobo area of Ogun State.
Exhibits recovered during the investigation include a broken hammer, a cutlass, a wooden plank and a black pen, which detectives said were linked to the suspects.
