A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Friday arraigned seven persons over the alleged burning of a bungalow belonging to a traditional worshipper, Toyin Asabi Olorisa.
The suspects, Alhaji Yekini Oloruntele, Alhaji Saliu Usman, Garba Amuda Yusuf, Alhaji Mumini Showa, Imam Isiaq Raji, Alhaji Saliu Abubakar AbdulMumini Muhammed and others said to be at large, appeared before Justice Mahmud Gafar.
The defendants were accused of conspiring to commit arson and unlawfully setting the victim’s residence on fire.
According to the charge sheet read in court, the incident occurred on January 1, 2026, when the bungalow was allegedly razed while the owner was away on holiday.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants “intentionally set fire on the residence of Toyin Asabi Olorisa and burnt her house,” an offence said to be punishable under the Kwara State Criminal Act.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the complainant reportedly urged the court to remand the suspects in a correctional facility, while defence counsel, I.F. Yusuf, opposed the application.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Gafar granted the defendants bail, noting that they had earlier been granted bail by the police.
The judge admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N2.5m with one surety, and adjourned the case till March 26, 2026, for further hearing.