Court remands man for stoning 11-month-old baby to death
In a heart-wrenching incident, an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday ordered the remand of a man, Olamide Oladele, for allegedly causing the death of an 11-month-old baby, Erioluwa Odunayo.
The baby tragically lost her life after being struck by a stone during a fight between Oladele and another man, Sikiru Ridwan, in the Ajobo area of Ibadan on November 22.
According to the prosecution, the stone, thrown by Oladele, inadvertently hit the baby on the forehead as she was strapped to her mother’s back while passing by.
The infant sustained serious injuries and later died as a result.
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The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Kausarat Ayofe, stated that her court lacked jurisdiction over the murder charge and did not take the plea of the defendant, Oladele.
She ordered the police to forward the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice and adjourned the case to January 6, 2025, for mention.
Meanwhile, Ridwan, who was involved in the fight with Oladele, faced charges of affray and conduct likely to breach public peace. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of ₦200,000 with two sureties in like sum. His case was also adjourned to January 6, 2025.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Toyin Ibrahim, told the court that the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. during a physical altercation between Oladele and Ridwan. He explained that the stone, aimed at Ridwan, tragically struck the baby instead.
The offences were said to contravene Sections 319 (murder), 83 (affray), and 249(d) (conduct likely to cause breach of peace) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
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