The Ogun police command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the development to journalists on Wednesday in Abeokuta.
The defendant was accused to have caused the death of Mr Bala by stabbing him in the buttocks.
The Makurdi Upper Area Court on Thursday ordered the remand of 15 people in prison custody for kidnapping four persons and killing one.
However, the prime suspect is said to be on the run.
Almost 11 years after he murdered his girlfriend, Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been released from jail on parole.
The suspects were arrested and had confessed to the crime.
The police said he stabbed the imam for warning him not to smoke on mosque premises.
He said the operatives of the command arrested the suspects for various crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, and stealing.
The state prosecutor urged the magistrate to remand the suspects at the Olokuta Correctional Centre.
The highest murders of women and girls, around 20,000, took place in Africa, followed by Asia.
