Abdullahi Ibrahim, a survivor hit by the 25-year-old driver, Temitope Olorunfemi, during a fatal motor accident in Akure, Ondo State capital, has pleaded with the state government for urgent medical care and financial assistance. 

Mr Ibrahim was one of the victims who sustained various degrees of injuries when the vehicle of Mr Olorunfemi rammed and crushed him by the roadside. 

The 60-year-old victim, who is currently being treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, had his legs broken during a motor accident. 

Temitope Ibrahim, the first daughter of the victim, who spoke said that her father (Mr Ibrahim) seriously needed urgent medical care but noted that the family members are financially constrained.  

“We are begging the state government and well-meaning philanthropists to come to our aid. We don’t have money again to proceed with his treatment. We are bankrupt as I speak with you,” said on Sunday in an interview. 

Ms Temitope stated that the internal organs of her father had been badly affected due to the internal bleeding suffered from the motor accident, adding that he’s being treated at the facility of the FMC in Owo. 

She also explained that her father had undergone a series of surgery on the leg to stabilise his health condition but needed financial help with medications for his survival. 

“I’m begging people to help us. He has done a series of surgeries in the hospital and recently did an orthopaedic surgery for his leg where he sustained internal injuries and that is the situation we’ve been managing as of today. 

“He could not sleep over the night due to the pains in his body. He was complaining of aches in the stomach and they are treating him for different internal injuries due to the aches. 

“I do hope his health would get better but he needed money to buy drugs and this is urgent. Medical doctors are recommending different drugs for us to buy. We need financial support and I’m the first child, the burden is just too much on me,” Ms Temitope added. 

Peoples Gazette had reported that a fortnight ago, Mr Olorunfemi, who was driving in his Toyota Camry car was lynched by an angry mob after he crushed three persons in the Ijoka Area of Akure. 

The vehicle of the deceased, who was accused of being an internet fraudster aka “Yahoo boy” was also set ablaze by the irate mob. 

One of the victims of the accident was said to have died on the spot, thereby sparking more violent reactions from the aggrieved youths in the area. 

The police later arrested five suspects; Victor Amos, 30; Boboye Ismaila, 32; Pelumi Farotimi, 42; Nurudeen Kumuyi, 22 and Samuel Olatunji, 23, following the extrajudicial killing of Mr Olorunfemi.

The suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrates Court at Oke Eda in Akure, last week. 

The men were dragged before the Magistrates’ Court on three counts of felony, unlawful murder and arson in a charge sheet marked as No. MAK/136c/2023.

The Court, however, said their offences contravene Sections 324, 316(1) and 451(6)(J) of the Criminals Code, Cap 37 Vol. 2 Laws of Ondo State

The police prosecutor in charge of the murder case, Nelson Akintimehin, told the Magistrates’ Court that the five accused persons conspired to commit the felony and unlawful murder of Mr Olorunfemi.  

Mr Akintimehin said that the accused persons and others at large committed the offence on April 10, 2023, at about 9:00 a.m., opposite Odopo Town Hall, along Ijoka Road, Akure.

He added that the accused persons allegedly murdered Mr Olorunfemi who they wrongly accused as an internet fraudster otherwise known as “Yahoo boy” in cold blood – with sticks, stones and other offensive weapons.

According to Mr Akintimehin, the accused also maliciously damaged one Toyota Camry vehicle with number plate KRD 627 GY, by setting it ablaze.

Two of the suspects; Messrs Amos and Farotimi, were later remanded at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Olokuta, in Akure by the Chief Magistrates Musa Al-Yunus. 

Mr Al-Yunus said there are “probable causes” to remand the two suspects (Messrs Amos and Farotimi) who were the first 1st and 3rd defendants in the murder case. 

He noted that the suspects would still be in the prison facility, pending the issuance of legal advice from the office of the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP). 

Mr Al-Yunus, however, granted bail to the 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants on the ground that there is no probable cause for their detention.

The trio Messers Ismaila, Kumuteyi and Olatunji were granted bail in the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira with two sureties in a like sum. 

The Magistrates’ also added that their sureties must have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. 

He, however, adjourned the case till August 8, 2023.