THREE police officers recently dismissed from the Kwara State Police Command have been remanded in prison custody after being charged for alleged involvement in the death of Qoyum Abdulyekeen Ishola, a 21-year-old student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
The officers, Abiodun Kayode, James Emmanuel, and Oni Philip, appeared in court on October 16, 2024, and were charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide following their arrest and subsequent dismissal from the force.
According to a statement released on Friday, October 18, by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the charges were brought against the accused after a thorough investigation linked them to the death.
Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed that the former officers have been remanded in prison custody pending further court proceedings.
The ICIR reported that the state police command on October 15 announced the dismissal of the three officers after they were found guilty of corrupt practices, leaving their beat and unlawful exercise of authority.
The officers were dismissed after an internal disciplinary trial, with their dismissal effective from October 4, 2024.
The ICIR reports that this move followed a wave of public outrage and demands for justice from students and deceased family members.
The incident, which was said to have occurred during a student-led protest over the rising cost of fuel, resulted in the death of Qoyum, a National Diploma student of Electrical/Electronics Engineering.
His death sparked widespread anger, leading students to march to the police command headquarters, demanding justice for their slain colleague.
Following Qoyum’s death, the Kwara State Polytechnic Students’ Union, alongside the National Association of Kwara State Students, engaged in extensive talks with police officials to demand justice.
The unions also vowed to collaborate with the institution’s management and other key stakeholders to ensure that the truth surrounding the student’s death is uncovered.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M