Nasarawa Court Denies Bail to Suspect in Murder of Education Official, Adjourns Trial to September
A High Court sitting in Obi, Nasarawa State, has denied bail to Mohammed Otaki, the prime suspect in the brutal killing of Hassan Sule Elayo, a staff member of the Keana Local Government Education Authority. The court, presided over by Justice Mustapha Ramat, adjourned the case until September 30, 2025, for continuation of trial and presentation of prosecution witnesses.
The case, which has drawn public attention, stems from the February 16, 2025 incident in which Elayo, who was also a local farmer, was reportedly ambushed and murdered on his farm. According to his family, Elayo had discovered earlier that day that his cassava crops had been uprooted allegedly by Otaki. After reporting the matter to the Keana Police Division, he returned to the farm with his 17-year-old son, only to be attacked and killed in front of the boy.
“He had already reported the destruction to the police in the morning. When he went back with my younger brother later that day, Otaki ambushed him and killed him,” a family member told Sahara Reporters.
The family also alleged that Otaki had made earlier death threats against Elayo and that attempts were made by local police to distort the facts of the case. They claim a police officer initially misrepresented the suspect’s identity, suggesting a Fulani attacker, but this was later corrected by a senior officer who clarified that Otaki belongs to the Alago ethnic group.
Following public outcry, the case was transferred from police control to the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice. A detective handling the case reportedly ordered Otaki’s detention and initiated further processing for trial.
When contacted, Nasarawa State Police spokesperson Ramhan Nansel stated that the matter is now fully under judicial jurisdiction:
“At this stage of the case, it’s the courts that must speak. Any further enquiries should be directed there.”
