17-year- old student remanded for murder of his friend in Ondo

Tuesday, March, 17 2026 - A Family Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has ordered the remand of a 17-year-old student, Daniel Johnson, at the Juvenile Correctional Centre over the alleged m8rder of his close friend, Timilehin Ariyo. 

The young offender was arraigned by the police on one-count charge of m8rder after he was arrested for allegedly stabbing the deceased to d3ath following a dispute over clothes.

Police prosecutor, Martin Olowofeso, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 6, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m. by the roadside in Owo, Owo Local Government area of Ondo State.

Olowofeso said the defendant allegedly st@bbed his friend during a fight at a UTME and WAEC lesson centre after a disagreement over clothing.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Sections 316 and 319 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, Laws of Ondo State.

The defendant, while speaking in court, admitted st@bbing the deceased, stating that he had kept a knife with him during the fight.

The deceased’s brother, who spoke in court, alleged that the young offender was recently initiated into a deadly occult group.

He further claimed that Johnson had previously used a knife to chase his mother out of their home on several occasions.

He also alleged that the defendant had been notorious for violent behaviour and once threatened his JAMB lesson teacher with a knife during a preparatory class.

The prosecutor, therefore urged the court to remand Johnson at the Juvenile Correctional Centre in Akure pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Counsel to the defendant, Mr. O. O. Oladapo, raised no objection to the remand application.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Temitope Alphonso, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Juvenile Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to June 2, 2026, for further hearing.