Police arraign four suspects over assassination of Osun LG Chairman

​By Obasola Olatunde

​Four suspects have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja for their alleged involvement in the murder of Remi Abass, the late Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.

​The defendants, Abubakar Kabiru (a.k.a. Jeje, 38), Tajudeen Opeyemi (30), Akeem Agbomojo (28), and Akintoye Olayemi (40) all residents of Ikire and Apomu, were charged with terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, and murder.

​They were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Wednesday on a three-count amended charge filed by the Inspector General of Police. All four defendants pleaded not guilty.

​The prosecution, led by A. S. Oyeyemi, alleged that the defendants conspired to instigate acts of terrorism across parts of Osun State and were found in possession of three pump-action rifles. The offences, according to the charge, contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004.

​The killing of Abass on February 17, 2025, in Ikire, has been linked to prolonged political tensions between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of local government councils in Osun State.

​The crisis intensified following a 2022 local government election conducted by the former APC-led administration. Although the PDP boycotted the election, the Court of Appeal ultimately upheld its validity in February 2025. This judgment led to violent clashes in several council areas, including Irewole, the location where Chairman Abass was murdered.

​Police investigations into the related violence resulted in the arrest of the four defendants. This followed an earlier attempt to prosecute seven suspects, a case that was withdrawn after one of the accused died in custody.

​Justice Abdulmalik ordered the remand of the four suspects at the Kuje Custodial Centre and adjourned the case to December 4, 2025, for hearing.