The High Court sitting in Obi, Nasarawa State, has postponed to July 23, 2025, the hearing of a bail application filed by one Mohammed Otaki, who stands accused of murdering Hassan Sule Elayo, an official of the Keana Local Government Education Authority.
This development comes as the deceased’s family raises alarm over what they describe as deliberate attempts to obscure the true events surrounding the murder, which occurred on February 16, 2025.
Family sources revealed that Elayo, who was also engaged in farming, had gone to his farmland that Sunday morning only to find his cassava uprooted — an act allegedly committed by Otaki. He promptly reported the destruction to the police division in Keana.
Later that same day, Elayo returned to the farm with his 17-year-old son, unaware of what awaited him. According to his son, Otaki ambushed and killed Elayo in his presence.
“On Sunday, February 16, 2025, around 8 a.m., my father went to his farm and discovered his cassava had been uprooted by Mohammed Otaki. He duly reported it to the Keana Police Division. Later in the day, my father returned to the farm with my younger brother, who is 17, and that’s when he was attacked and killed right in front of him,” a relative told Chronicles Reporters.
The family further claimed that Otaki had issued a threat on Elayo’s life before the incident. “He even said it clearly that he would kill my father that same day, and that was documented at the State CID,” the family member added.
They also accused certain police officials of trying to mislead the investigation. “After his arrest, we went to the State CID, but the Divisional Police Officer in Keana claimed my father was killed by a Fulani man. Thankfully, a superior officer corrected this, confirming that the suspect is actually from the Alago ethnic group,” the relative noted.
Eventually, the case was handed over to the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice following internal assessments and consultations.
A source involved in the investigation explained, “The detective in charge listened to me as I narrated what happened. He instructed his men to detain Otaki and subsequently transferred the case to the Ministry of Justice.”
The state has since taken up legal representation for the family as proceedings continue.
However, the family has expressed strong reservations about the conduct of the defence counsel, alleging a calculated effort to manipulate the court process.
“Our lawyer informed us that the other party filed for bail and even removed key documents related to the case. They also went to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi in an attempt to obtain a fake mental illness certificate for the suspect,” a concerned family member stated.
The family further alleges that the defence counsel is closely connected to a high-ranking legislative aide, fuelling their fears that justice might be compromised. They have also voiced concerns over their own safety should Otaki be granted bail.
“If this man could murder my father, considering all the steps we’ve taken so far in court, we’re genuinely afraid for our lives if he is released,” the source added.
When Chronicles Reporters reached out to the Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, he clarified that the matter is now solely within the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
“This case is currently before the court. It is now up to the court to make decisions. For any inquiries, the court is in the best position to provide clarification,” he said.
The High Court has officially fixed July 23 for the bail hearing, while the family anxiously awaits the outcome and continues to call for a transparent and just legal process.
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