An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate's Court has ordered the sealing of Crown Emirate Hotel in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, following the deaths of three individuals during a stampede at a convocation party. The court also approved a request by the state Attorney General for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to assume control of the case.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun issued the order after 12 suspects were arraigned by police in connection with the incident. During the proceedings, police prosecutor Martins Akala filed an ex parte motion seeking the suspects' remand in a correctional facility for 30 days to facilitate further investigation. The suspects face charges of conspiracy, criminal negligence, and manslaughter, supported by a 10-paragraph affidavit.
Kunle Adeyemo, Deputy Director and Legal Officer for Ekiti State, informed the court that he had the authority of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, SAN, to take over the matter. Defense counsel opposed the application, arguing there was no reasonable basis for remand and that their clients' right to liberty would be violated. They also contended that the defendants were not present at the scene of the incident.
The magistrate ordered all suspects remanded in correctional custody pending legal advice from the DPP and adjourned the case until May 19, 2026, for hearing.
Ex-Anambra Governor's Wife Fined N1m
In a separate case, an Enugu State Magistrate's Court ordered Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo, wife of former Anambra State Governor Jim Nwobodo, to pay N1 million for failing to prosecute a case she initiated. Mrs. Nwobodo had filed a four-count criminal charge against a Lagos-based cleric, Basil Ogbuanu, and three of his workers.
Delivering the ruling at the Enugu South Magisterial District, Magistrate D.K. Ekoh stated that the order was due to the complainant's persistent absence from court since January 2026. The magistrate noted that the complainant's conduct demonstrated a lack of interest in prosecuting the case.
“A complainant whose complaint was investigated and to her knowledge is aware of the charge proffered against the defendants decides to stay in her luxury home without prosecuting her complaint, should as well pay damages to the person(s) she wrongfully complained against,” he said.
The court struck out the matter, awarded N1 million in costs against Mrs. Nwobodo, and directed that the defendants should not be re-arrested on the strength of the same complaint. The defendants—Ezeh Patrick Muoneke, Arinze Onoja, Sedro Theodore, and Basil Ogbuanu—had been arraigned on January 20, 2026, on charges of conspiracy, deprivation of liberty, and assault.
During proceedings, police prosecutor B.C. Nnadozie stated he had not seen the complainant since the case began and could not proceed with witness statements. Counsel for the defendants, Emeka Oko, urged the court to dismiss the charge, arguing that his clients, who are artisans and a Lagos resident, had been burdened by repeated travel to Enugu for a case the complainant was unwilling to pursue.
