A chilling account emerged in an Oyo State High Court as Alhaji Salam, the uncle of 27-year-old Kareem Malik, testified about the gruesome discovery of his nephew's body. Malik, who went missing on August 7, 2024, was later found in a well dug by the primary suspect, Adekunle Mohammed. The body was horrifyingly dismembered, with the head, hands, legs, and internal organs removed.
Mohammed, along with four other defendants – Muniru Salaudeen, Rashidat Akanji (also known as Iya Ewe), Ismail Olalekan, and Sanmi Obaleye – are currently on trial for alleged conspiracy, murder, and the dismemberment and sale of human remains. Alhaji Salam, as the first prosecution witness, stated his belief that Mohammed was responsible for his nephew's death, and the other four defendants were involved in purchasing the body parts.
Alhaji Salam recounted his desperate search for Malik, which began when he reported his nephew missing to the police. After several days of fruitless searching and phone tracking, he received a call from the police to identify a body found in an area linked to Mohammed. He recognized Malik by the clothes on the body's trunk, despite the horrific mutilations.
At the police station, Alhaji Salam witnessed Mohammed confessing to the murder of his nephew and admitting to selling the severed body parts. Mohammed even named those he sold them to, whom the police later apprehended and are now co-defendants in the trial.
During cross-examination, Alhaji Salam clarified that he did not know Mohammed before the incident but heard his name during the confession. He also stated that he heard Mohammed admit to the murder and sale of body parts in Yoruba. When questioned about specific details, such as which body parts were sold to which defendants, Alhaji Salam admitted he did not know. He also confirmed that he only assumed the other defendants were the buyers after seeing them in court.
The court also heard that Mohammed, a resident of Olorisa-Oko, Moniya Community, was arrested in August 2024 after residents complained of a foul odor from a well at his house. Investigations revealed it contained human remains. The charges of conspiracy, murder, and improper interference with human remains for ritual purposes were read to all defendants, who pleaded not guilty. The trial continues, shedding light on a horrifying case of alleged ritual killings.
