Ifon-Osun Community Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plan to Grant Bail to Suspected Ritual Killers

…Calls on Gov Adeleke, CJ to order probe

Some residents of Ahoro-Afin community in Ifon-Osun of Orolu local government area of Osun State on Monday raised alarm over alleged plan to grant bail to suspected ritual killers, Tajudeen Oderinde and Mojeed Alani accused of murdering Lukman Akorede in a gruesome ritual killing.

The community called on Governor Ademola Adeleke and State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele to order an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the granting bail of suspected murder.

They recalled that Mr. Lukman Akorede was gruesomely murdered in cold blood on March 26, 2025, in a ritual killing, with his lifeless body found horribly mutilated and parts of his body removed.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday, in Ifon-Osun, the Coordinator of Concerned Citizens of Orolu Kingdom, Adejumo Adewumi urged the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Federal Ministry of Justice to intervene and ensure that the judiciary is not reduced to a marketplace where killers buy their freedom.

Adewumi appealed to the global community, international human rights organizations, and civil society groups to monitor the case closely and ensure that justice is not buried in technicalities or corruption.

According to him, “We call on the Nigeria Police Force to intensify their manhunt for the remaining suspects and ensure that every single person involved in this dastardly act is apprehended and prosecuted without delay.

He said, “It is no longer news that an industrious son of Ifon-Osun, Orolu Kingdom, Mr. Lukman Akorede, was gruesomely murdered in cold blood on the 26th of March, 2025. His brutal murder was not an ordinary killing: it was a barbaric ritual killing. His lifeless body was found horribly mutilated: his head severed, his hands and legs cut off, his private parts removed, his heart and kidney harvested, his stomach pierced, and his flesh shredded in a most diabolical manner at Ahoro-Afin community in Ifon-Osun. This horrific act shook our community and the conscience of humanity.

“Following painstaking investigations, two principal suspects, Mr. Tajudeen Oderinde and Mr. Mojeed Alani, were arrested after the testimony of an eyewitness. While others connected to this heinous crime remain at large, the Osun State Police Command has been on their trail.

“As the case proceeded at Osun State High Court 4, we suddenly began to witness sinister manipulations aimed at frustrating justice. Some heartless individuals from Ilobu community have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to pervert the course of justice in favour of these ritual murder suspects. Their moment came during the annual vacation of the presiding trial judge, when they shamelessly approached a vacation judge, Justice S.O. Oke, to secretly perfect their evil arrangement.

“Despite the strong objection of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Oke went ahead to grant bail to these men accused of a most gruesome crime, men who are known serial murder offenders. It is worth noting that one of the suspects, Mr. Mojeed Alani, was previously arrested for murder in 2023. He had only just been released on bail from the Ilesa Correctional Centre in February 2025. Barely a month later, in March 2025, he was involved again in the ritual killing of Mr. Lukman Akorede. How then can a reasonable court grant bail to such a man?

“This singular action has sent shockwaves through our community. It has emboldened evil-doers and demoralised law-abiding citizens. It has further deepened the suspicion that there are elements within the judiciary who value influence above the sanctity of human life. Judiciary is supposed to be the hope of a common man. We cannot remain silent while justice is being mocked in our land. Today it is Lukman Akorede; tomorrow, it could be you, your children, your husband, your wife, your neighbour. Evil unchecked becomes a threat to all,” he added.