A Chief Magistrate in Ondo State, Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi, has ordered the remand of a 15-year-old female student from Anglican Grammar School in Arigidi Akoko after she was accused of stabbing her 17-year-old classmate, Habib Salau, to death. The magistrate’s ruling mandates that the defendant be held at the Ondo State Juvenile Home in Akure while awaiting advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
During the court proceedings, the magistrate did not take the teenager’s plea, as the focus was on the remand order due to the serious nature of the allegations against her. The student, currently in her Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) year, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder, stemming from an incident that took place on October 3, around 3:30 p.m. at Imo, Arigidi Akoko.
Police Prosecutor Josephine Awana informed the court that the young girl, along with an accomplice who remains at large, allegedly conspired to commit murder. According to the prosecutor, the altercation began when the defendant accused Salau of confronting her on their way home, leading to a physical confrontation.
Awana detailed the events leading up to the tragic incident, stating, “The defendant accused the deceased of accosting her on the way home after a misunderstanding between them. It resulted in a fight, and the defendant claimed that someone gave her a knife and instructed her to stab the deceased in the neck.”
The serious nature of the charges has raised significant concern within the community, prompting discussions about youth violence and the factors contributing to such tragic events. The prosecution noted that the offenses cited contravene Sections 124 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Following the prosecutor’s request, the magistrate agreed to remand the offender at the correctional facility pending the issuance of advice from the DPP. This decision reflects the gravity of the allegations and underscores the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As the case progresses, it has sparked widespread dialogue among parents, educators, and community leaders about the importance of conflict resolution and the need for educational institutions to address issues of bullying and interpersonal violence among students. Many are calling for increased support systems within schools to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
The community watches closely as the legal process unfolds, hoping for a resolution that promotes justice while also addressing the broader implications of youth violence in society. The tragic death of Habib Salau serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences that can arise from unresolved conflicts among young people.
