Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
A bricklayer, Demola Wasiu, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly killing his friend, Lekan Omotosho, 27.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Wasiu, an indigene of Ede, Osun State, stabbed the Ogun State indigene in the armpit after he refused to charge his phone for him.
The victim was said to have lost a lot of blood before he was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital, where he died on Friday.
The suspect, who was arrested by policemen from the Lion Building division, was later transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.
It was gathered that Omotosho was an apprentice in a mechanic workshop on Ajele Street, Lagos Island.
He was said to have come to Lagos from Mowe, Ogun State, three months ago.
His boss, Olayinka Oyinloye, said he had warned him against his friendship with Wasiu after he was arrested for a crime he knew nothing about.
He said, “Just two months ago, the police arrested him while watching over Wasiu’s phone. The problem is that they usually smoke hemp in that place where they charge phones. Throughout the time of his detention, this so called friend did not check on him.
“After I got him out on bail, I warned him against the friendship and cautioned him not to allow anybody put him in trouble.
“On Thursday, Wasiu came again and asked him to help him charge his phone and watch over it. Lekan (Omotosho) refused. That was how he became angry and started fighting him.”
Our correspondent was told that the suspect, who had a bottle of beer in his hand, smashed it on the floor and stabbed Omotosho in the armpit.
Oyinloye said, “He fell down and started bleeding. People took him to a hospital, while they held Wasiu to prevent him from escaping.
“They took Wasiu to the Lion Building Police Division around 11.30pm. I went to check on Lekan (Omotosho) in the hospital. Around 1am, he died. I went back to the station to report the development to the police. Some of the officers followed me to the hospital to confirm if he was actually dead.”
At the SDCI, the suspect begged for forgiveness, saying he never intended to kill Omotosho.
He said, “All I want is forgiveness. I did not mean to kill him. He was my friend and I have no reason to kill him. Please help me beg them to give me another chance. I have no father or mother to assist me.”
It was learnt that the victim’s parents had arrived from Ogun State to recover the corpse from the police after autopsy.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed the incident, adding that investigations were ongoing.
He said, “Yes, it happened. The suspect, Demola Wasiu, stabbed the victim, Lekan Omotosho, with a broken bottle. He was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead. The matter is under investigation.”
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