Four men accused of involvement in the killing of the late Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Osun State, Hon. Remi Abass, were on Wednesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants — Abubakar Kabiru (also known as Jeje, 38), Tajudeen Opeyemi (30), Akeem Agbomojo (28), and Akintoye Olayemi (40) — all residents of Ikire and Apomu in Osun State, were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to face charges bordering on terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, and murder.
According to the prosecution, led by A.S. Oyeyemi on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, the four men played roles in the violent killing of Abass, who was murdered on February 17, 2024, in Ikire. The defendants were represented by Sunday Adebayo, while Muhydeen Adeoye appeared to hold a watching brief for the family of the deceased.
The amended charge sheet, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/170/2025, contained three counts.
Count One accused the defendants of conspiring to commit and instigating acts of terrorism in parts of Osun State, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count Two alleged that they were found with three pump-action rifles, in violation of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004.
Count Three charged them with the murder of Hon. Remi Abass, contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act.
All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After the plea, Justice Abdulmalik ordered their remand at the Kuje Custodial Centre and adjourned the matter until December 4, 2025, for hearing — a date agreed upon by both the prosecution and defence.
The murder of Abass has been linked to the political crisis between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of local government councils in Osun State.
The tension dates back to 2022, when former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s APC-led government conducted local government elections shortly before leaving office — elections the PDP boycotted and later challenged in court as unconstitutional.
When Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP became governor, his administration dissolved the councils and appointed caretaker committees. However, in February 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the APC, declaring that the 2022 local government elections were valid and ordering the reinstatement of the elected officials.
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The judgment sparked violent clashes in several local government areas as the reinstated APC officials attempted to resume office. In Irewole, the conflict turned deadly, leading to the killing of Abass and others.
Police investigations into the incident led to the arrest of the four men now on trial.
Earlier, prosecutors had withdrawn a related case involving seven suspects, led by one Jide Jooda, after one of the defendants died in custody.
The case will continue on December 4, 2025, when the court is expected to begin hearing evidence from both sides.
