Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, has dismissed the no-case submission filed by the defendants in the murder case of Moshood Oladokun, also known as Ekugbemi.

The 11 defendants in the case were alleged to have murdered Ekugbemi at Olomi Olunde Academy, Ibadan, in 2020.

The defendants are Azeez Oyadina, Bayonle Hamed, Nurudeen Adeogun, Abiodun Salami, Kazali Afeez, a.k.a. Elewedu, Afeez Sherif a.k.a. Igun, Bashir Yusuf, and Adeleke Kehinde.

Others are Olumide Folarin, Balogun Lateef and Rilwan Musibau.

The defence counsel, Eyitayo Shittu, O. A. Bello and Akinyemi Giwa, had earlier filed a no-case submission over the matter.

Mr Ajayi, however, said in his ruling that the defendants had a case to defend.

He, thereafter, adjourned the matter until January 12 for the defendants to open their defence.

The defendants are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder and belonging to an unlawful society.

According to the principal state counsel, S. O. Osuolale, the defendants, on April 11, at about 10:45 a.m., at Olunde Olomi Academy, Ibadan, allegedly conspired and murdered Mr Ekugbemi by gunshots.

Mr Osuolale stated that the offences contravened Section 316 and were punishable under Sections 64, 3, 9 and 324 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

 (NAN)