The leader of the Esuleke masqueraders, Chief Kayode Idowu on Friday collapsed on his way to the Osun State Magistrate court at Oke-fia where he and his disciples were expected to face a murder charge.
Chief Esuleke and his disciples had on Sunday attacked Muslim worshippers at Qamarudeen Central Mosque, leading to the death of, Alhaji Moshood Salawudeen while 14 others sustained injuries.
Muslim News gathered that the leader of the Masquerade and some of his disciples were arrested on Tuesday and expected to face a murder charge on Friday when he suddenly slumped on his way to court.
The incident, we reliably learnt, happened around 10:15 am, after which he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Osogbo.
Findings by Muslim News showed that he is still receiving treatment at the time of filing this report on Friday, 8 pm (Nigerian time).
Failure to appear before the Magistrate court also affected the charges against Imam Kazeem Yusuf and three members of the Muslim Organisation, who are also standing trial for another offense.
Imam Yusuf, who led the Special Prayer for the Nation when the masquerade attacked the congregation on Sunday, was also detained by the police on Wednesday, alongside other members namely; Salawudeen Jamiu, Alarape Sulaimon, and Saheed Akewi.
The State Police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the development to Muslim News on Friday, adding that the case has been put on hold pending the time the arrowhead of the masquerade is discharged from the hospital.
According to her, “Chief Esuleke collapsed on his way to court and he is still even in the hospital till now (Friday night). Hence, there is no way he can be taken to court in that condition since he is very important to the case.
“His followers cannot be charged without him since he is their leader. Hence, they are still in police custody. They will not get bail since it’s a murder case. They will be re-arraigned whenever Chief Esuleke is fine.
“As for the Imam and his members, they have been released on bail to reliable sureties and they will be provided when the case begins.
“Both of them (masquerade and Muslim Organisation) have been arrested but for different offenses. For the Masquerade, it is murder, but in the Muslim’s case, it is assault because they allegedly injured some of the followers of the masquerade.”
