BREAKING: Kwara Court Discharges Eight Men Accused Of Kidnapping, Murder After Government Withdraws Charges, Cites ‘Public Interest’
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has discharged eight men accused of kidnapping, murder, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms after the state government withdrew the criminal charges against them, citing public interest as the reason for discontinuing the prosecution.
The decision was delivered on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Adebayo Dikko, following an application by the prosecution to discontinue the case nearly three years after the defendants were arrested. Senior State Counsel Cyril N. Kolo told the court that he was acting on the instructions of Kwara State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Sulyman.
The eight defendants are Suleiman Mohammed, Ibrahim Ahmed, Yekeen Raji, Aliu Saheed Babatunde, Abraham Alaka, Jooji Fajenyo, Salihu Umar and John Gazale. They had faced serious allegations arising from a reported kidnapping incident in Agbamu, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in August 2023.
According to the prosecution’s amended charge, the defendants were accused of conspiring to cause the death of Peter Fadahunsi, kidnapping several individuals, committing armed robbery and unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition. The allegations were not resolved through a conviction before the government withdrew the case.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants and other individuals still at large were involved in the abduction of Chief (Mrs.) Grace Adepoju, Isaac Kehinde, Wale Omobolanle and Fadahunsi. The charge stated that the alleged kidnappers demanded ₦90 million in ransom and collected ₦7 million before the victims were released.
The defendants were also accused of robbing the alleged victims of mobile phones and cash valued at approximately ₦1.425 million. In another count, the prosecution alleged that they unlawfully possessed several firearms, including four pump-action guns, four English-made single-barrel guns, one English-made double-barrel gun and 63 live cartridges.
The charges were contained in an amended charge dated February 19, 2026, filed under Charge No. KWS/173/25. The prosecution relied on provisions of the Penal Code and relevant laws governing kidnapping, armed robbery and firearms possession.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution requested permission to withdraw the case, explaining that the decision had been taken in the public interest. The court granted the application and discharged all eight defendants.
However, the judge did not acquit the men. The distinction is important because the proceedings ended following the withdrawal of the charges, rather than a full determination of the allegations and a judgment establishing their innocence or guilt.
Defence lawyers did not oppose the prosecution’s application to discontinue the case but asked the court to discharge and acquit their clients. They argued that the defendants had endured considerable hardship since their arrest and had suffered reputational damage while facing serious criminal allegations.
A member of the defence team told reporters that the men were arrested in August 2023 and were allegedly publicly presented as terrorists. The lawyer claimed that the publicity surrounding the case caused some people to label the defendants as terrorists, partly because some of them were Fulani.
The defence lawyer further alleged that the case originated from a disagreement over farmland. According to the lawyer, the defendants were farmers who had sold land to a woman identified as the nominal complainant, but a disagreement reportedly arose over whether they should vacate the property.
The lawyer alleged that the woman and people travelling with her were subsequently kidnapped by unidentified gunmen. However, the available court documents do not establish that the farmland dispute caused the arrests or prove that the defendants were falsely accused.
The withdrawal has also raised questions about the handling of a case involving allegations of kidnapping, ransom demands and the death of one of the alleged victims. A court official reportedly criticised the government’s handling of the prosecution, arguing that the investigation and preparation of the case should have been sufficiently thorough before the charges were brought before the court.
The official’s comments represent an assessment of the case and do not constitute a judicial finding that the investigation was improperly conducted. The government’s stated reason for withdrawing the charges was public interest, but the specific considerations behind that decision were not fully explained during the proceedings.
The discharge of the defendants ends the current proceedings against them in the case. However, the available reports do not establish whether other suspects remain under investigation, whether authorities intend to pursue further action or whether additional explanations will be provided concerning the withdrawal.
The development has renewed attention on the responsibility of prosecutors to conduct thorough investigations, present sufficient evidence and explain decisions to discontinue serious criminal cases. It has also highlighted the consequences that prolonged criminal proceedings and public accusations can have on defendants, their families and the communities involved.
Street News Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the case, including any further explanation from the Kwara State Government, possible responses from the defence team and any subsequent action concerning the reported kidnapping and death of Peter Fadahunsi.
