A tricycle operator, Festus Akintelure, 39, over the weekend allegedly beat his colleague, Titus Adebayo, 35, to death after engaging in a fight in the Oke-Aro axis of Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Guardian gathered that the deceased slumped when he was hit with blows by Akintelure, during the fight.

He was said to have been hit in a delicate spot that made him collapse and fainted but was revived at the clinic before he gave up the ghost.

Speaking on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Olufunmilayo Odunlami, said operatives from the state command had been directed to investigate the cause of death of the tricycle operator.

According to Odunlami, the tricycle operators had engaged in a hot argument which snowballed into a physical fight between the duo.

The PPRO said: “The man was rushed by people around the vicinity of the fight to nearby clinic where he was attended to and admitted.

“The victim collapsed as a result of the fight on Saturday and was confirmed dead early Sunday morning at the hospital.

“The case was reported at our ‘B’ Division area Headquarters in Akure and investigation had commenced into the incident. After investigation, the suspect will be charged to court.”

MEANWHILE, an Odigbo Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of a 45-year-old man, Joseph Adeoye over alleged arson.

The defendant who was charged with two counts of conspiracy and arson, allegedly committed the offence between September 15 to September 28, 2022, at Alagbado village, Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Usifo James, the accused and seven others at large conspired to set fire on a building and church properties as well as properties of one Samuel Alade Emi valued at N10m

With the offence contravening Section 516, 443 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol l.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

After the Prosecutor sought for legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Defence Counsel, Mr D. I Irene, did not oppose the application.

Senior Magistrate, D. O Ogunfuyi, in his ruling ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Okitipupa Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the legal advice, with the case subsequently adjourned till December 9 for mention. (The Guardian: Text, Excluding Headline)

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