An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kazeem Oladimeji from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Lagos has testified that 30-year-old Nollywood actor, Temitayo Ogunbusola stabbed his neighbour, Oladotun Osho, to death with a knife following a disagreement over the payment of N1,000 electricity bill.
This is the evidence of the investigative Police officer before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja on Monday during an alledged murder trial of the actor; Temitayo Ogunbusola.
The Police officer, said he and members of his team investigated a case of murder involving the defendant, who is standing trial over the alledged killing of his neighbour.
According to him, “On the 18th May, 2022, a case file was transferred alongside with Temitayo Ogunbusola in a murder case.
He said the complainant in the matter, Joshua Osho volunteered a statement and that the defendant also made statement under caution, which he claimed Ogunbusola admitted to the crime.
ASP Oladimeji explained to the judge that the incident happened at No. 4 Sebil Kazeem Street in Ikotun area of Lagos State.
He said he visited the house where the fight took place. “They had misunderstanding over a NEPA bill, this resulted to where they had a physical combat.
He said, “The defendant brought out a knife and chased the deceased to a nearby street where he was stabbed.”
“The investigation on the 25th May, 2022 revealed that Temitayo Ogunbusola was a tenant at No. 4 Sebil Kazeem Street.”
According to his findings, ASP Oladimeji claimed, “He has not be cooperating with the landlord and other tenants of the house.
“A series of fighting occured on the premises.
He said the deceased sustained a degree injury with injury knife which Ogunbusola used to stabbed him.
Earlier, an Inspector Ojo Isreal with Force No. AP 244299 told the trial judge that the defendant confirmed that he stabbed the deceased.
According to him, “On 15th May, 2020, at about 1900hours, the case was reported that someone stabbed another around Ikotun-Egbe.
“When we reached there, they directed us to an hospital.
“We met Temitayo on the ground in front of the hospital because he wanted to escape and he was holding the knife with the blood, he also sustained some injuries.
He said he discovered that during investigation, the complainant, the deceased and defendant were living together in the same apartment and they said they had issue of NEPA bill which is just N1,000.
Led in evidence, the State Prosecution counsel, Adebanke Ogunde, following the evidence tendered before the court, the complainant’s statement, defendant’s statement, photograph of the deceased, hospital index card, Coroner form, Police investigation activities and copy of COVID-19 test.
All documents were admitted as evidence by the judge.
Under cross-examination by defence Counsel, Mr. Wale Ademoyega queried why the Police did not intervene appropriately when the defendant and other occupants brought their disagreement to the Ikotun Police Station.
Inspector Ojo responded that the Station Officer, S.O, told him about the incident but added that the S.O cautioned them to make peace.
He argued further, “Are you aware that the defendant came back that those people did not allow him to enter the house?
He replied, “I am not aware,“ he told the court.
The judge adjourned further trial till January 17 and 18, 2023 for continuation of trial.
