Suspects linked to Ekiti bye-election violence remanded

The police have arraigned no fewer than three suspects for their alleged involvement in the violence that marred the recent State House of Assembly election in Ekiti State.

Authorities had earlier confirmed the killing of two persons in the violence that erupted during the bye-election held last Saturday.

Meanwhile, two days after the ugly incident, three persons arrested by the security agencies in connection with the violence were brought before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Monday.

The suspects are Adenijo Olushola, popular known as Solar, Paul Folorunsho, and a lady, Adebayo Sherifat.

In the charge sheet brought by the police, the suspects were charged for conspiracy to murder and attempted murder of Babatunde Adeleye and Bola Adebisi.

However, the trial Chief Magistrate remanded the suspects at the correctional centre in Ado-Ekiti until the commencement of trial scheduled to hold on April 19.

The bye-election for the Ekiti East State Constituency I seat which had been declared vacant turned bloody, leaving several people injured apart from the two persons killed.

As a result of this development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was forces to suspend the poll with no new date announced yet.

The state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in his reaction condemned the incident in strong terms, assuring that the state government would not condone any ugly event of such.

Fayemi had also directed the commissioner of Police in the state to arrest all those involved in the violence and ensure that they were prosecuted.