A Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday ordered the remand of three men accused of killing retired Ogun State Television broadcaster, Ms. Kitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo.
The Punch reported that Chief Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo of Court 3 directed that the suspects — Sodeinde Olajunwon Phillip, Sobu Obafunsho and Shakirudeen Ayoola — be held at the Oba Correctional Centre for 60 days pending legal advice from the state Directorate of Public Prosecution.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by the police seeking the suspects’ remand while investigations and prosecution processes continue.
Presenting the application, the Legal Officer of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, AS Abiodun, told the court that the application, dated July 6, sought an order remanding the suspects for 60 days in a Nigerian Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution before their arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He explained that the application was brought pursuant to Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Ogun State, 2017, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
Abiodun further informed the court that a 24-paragraph affidavit deposed to by ASP Saka of the Homicide Section of the State CID accompanied the application. He added that 17 exhibits and a written address were also attached.
He urged the court to grant the request in the interest of justice.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Odubanjo granted the application as requested by the prosecution and adjourned the matter until September 10, 2026.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said, “The suspects have been remanded for 60 days on court order pending the legal advice from the DPP for the continuation of the case.
“Obviously, the suspects have been brought before the court for the offences committed with regards to the killing of Madam Kitan Oyesiku and her security guard, Pelumi.
“The state police command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, is assuring everyone that justice would be served and that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that justice is truly served on this matter”.
Oyesiku, a retired staff member of the Ogun State Television, and her security guard were found dead in a pool of blood at her residence in Agodo, Abeokuta, in June.
The police launched an investigation after residents reported suspicious activities around the property.
Investigators who visited the scene reportedly found evidence of forced entry and signs of a struggle. Adetayo’s body was discovered at the security post, while Oyesiku’s corpse was found inside the residence. Her Lexus RX330, which had initially been declared missing, was later recovered during the investigation.
Addressing journalists during an earlier press briefing, Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni disclosed that detectives made a breakthrough after recovering a note inside the stolen vehicle. According to him, forensic examination of the note led investigators to the prime suspect.
Ojajuni said the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, 22, was arrested on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.
Subsequent investigations resulted in the arrest of two other suspects identified as Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, a bricklayer.
The Commissioner of Police said Philip allegedly admitted coordinating the attack over grievances he harboured against Oyesiku while working as her security guard, claiming the murder was intended to “teach her a lesson.”
Police further alleged that the suspects subdued Adetayo before forcing him to grant them access into Oyesiku’s residence, where both victims were allegedly murdered.
The stolen Lexus RX330 was later recovered through intelligence-led and technical tracking operations in the Onikolobo area of Ogun State.
Investigators also recovered several exhibits linked to the case, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank and a black pen.
