A magistrate court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan has ordered that seven persons be remanded in Abolongo Correctional Facility in Oyo, for alleged arson and murder during the Shasha market crisis.

The police charged Tajudeen Oladunni, 50; Saburi Lawal, 37; Ojo Joshua, 25; Adekunle Olanrewaju, 38; Olagunju James, 24; Rasaq Yahya, 32 and Olaide Olawuyi, 20, with six counts bordering on conspiracy, arson and murder.

Magistrate Osho refused to take the plea of the suspects on Thursday, for want of jurisdiction.

She ordered the police to return the case file to the Office of the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Osho adjourned the matter till May 11, for mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Foluke Oladosu told the court that the suspects conspired with others, at large, to commit the offence.

Oladosu said, on February 12, at about 10 am at Shasha market, Ibadan, the suspects caused the death of Adeola Shakirudeen when they beat him up.

The police also alleged that the suspects caused the death of 31 others.

The prosecution also alleged that the suspects burnt two houses, belonging to Chief Adelabu Ibrahim and caused N50 million damage.

The police also alleged that the suspects also burnt a house, belonging to Osuolale Akindele and destroyed property worth N20 million.

The offence, the police said, contravened the provisions of sections 6, and 316 and punishable under sections 443 and 319 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol.II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

Recall that on February 12, an ethnic clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders in Shasha market claimed the lives of some persons, and led to the loss of properties worth millions of naira.