A High Court in Oyo State, Ibadan, has granted bail to 12 individuals charged with the murder of Jeffrey Akro, a student of Ajayi Crowther University.
Justice Ladiran Akintola, who presided over the case, set bail conditions at ₦5 million per defendant, with two sureties required. One of the sureties must be a biological parent of the accused.
The defendants had previously entered a plea of not guilty to the charges brought against them. The court has scheduled the trial to commence on February 21, 2025.
In his ruling, Justice Akintola emphasized that the bail approval should not be interpreted as proof of the defendant’s innocence.
Prosecution lawyer Victor Otomiewo echoed this sentiment, stating that “bail does not equate to an acquittal or a declaration of innocence.”
Defense counsel Wole Efunnuga commended the judge’s fairness, highlighting that the ruling considered the interests of all parties involved.
