A lawyer, Martial Eberebe, has told the Federal High Court Ilorin that the death of the alleged mastermind of the Offa robbery, Michael Adikwu, was suspicious.
Eberebe, who is the defence counsel, prayed the court to order an autopsy of the principal suspect’s death to determine the cause of death.
He said the claim by the police that Adikwu died of malaria fever appeared suspicious.
Eberebe said the circumstance of Adikwu’s death was shrouded leading to the police suppressing facts that would help the court determine the fate of other suspects on trial.
The 4th defendant, Salaudeen Azeez, had told the court while giving evidence that Adikwu was shot and killed by one Inspector Vincent.
The lead prosecuting counsel, Wahab Egbewole SAN, urged the court to discountenance the submission of the defence counsel as Adikwu’s statement of defence was not before the court.
He added that dragging the principal suspect into the matter was irrelevant.
The five accused persons standing trial in connection with the robbery attack were Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salaudeen Azeez and Niyi Ogundiran.
Azeez had earlier informed the court that the police tortured him to make false confession in the statement obtained from him.
“I was beaten with plank on the head by the police to make false confession against myself, when I declined, they tied my legs and my hands and threatened to kill me if I fail to cooperate.
“I told them that I am illiterate when the police brought paper and pen for me to write, so the police wrote that I am one of the suspects of Offa robbery attack and asked me to thumb print.
“That was how I made confessional statement under duress,” the suspect said.
Justice Haleemat Salman adjourned the case till til July 22, for continuation of trial.
The Offa robbery attack incident claimed the lives of 31 persons, including nine police officers on April 5, 2019. (NAN)