Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Sunday confirmed that one of the two new cases of Covid-19 recorded in the state is a suspected murderer.
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, the Governor said one of the cases involved was one of the recently arraigned suspects in the murder of Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the national leader of Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti.
“We have confirmed two other cases in Ondo State,” Mr Akeredolu said.
“One of the cases involves one of the recently arraigned suspects in the murder of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, Pa Fasoranti’s Daughter.
“The Commissioner of Police has been duly informed and the line tracing of police officers and others in the SARS facility where he was kept has started and their specimens are being collected.
“The suspect has been isolated from others and will be moved to the IDH for treatment. The Commissioner of Police has assured the state that there will be adequate security around the IDH premises to prevent his escape and while on treatment, he will be manacled to the bed.
“I will expatiate on all cases in my weekly press briefing tomorrow.”
The suspects were arraigned on Friday at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Akure and were ordered remanded at the Correctional Centre in Owo.
The Magistrate, Victoria Bob-Manuel, however ordered that they be tested for COVID-19 and the result ascertained before being admitted into the correctional centre.
Mr Akeredolu had on Saturday confirmed the state’s fourth COVID-19 case, whom he described as a “reckless” officer who endangered the lives of citizens by traveling from Lagos to Akure after his confirmation as being positive in Lagos.
The Governor said the Police Officer contracted the virus in Lagos, but in breach of the lockdown rules, came to Akure for treatment.
“Earlier today, I got news of another positive case of COVID19 admitted to our facility in Akure,” Mr Akeredolu had said.
“The case of this individual who is a police officer is unique.
“He was tested in Lagos but came to Ondo state while awaiting his results. Upon receiving a positive result, he claimed to have returned back to Lagos.
“According to him, he waited a few days in Lagos to be picked up. When this failed, he panicked and rushed back to Akure for treatment.”
Mr Akeredolu noted that while the state appreciated the confidence reposed in its facilities, the officer’s action was “most reckless” because he put the lives of others at a risk.
“I am most disappointed in the level of porosity of the entry points to the state,” he said.
“The police officer should know better. I have contacted the Commissioner of Police to double up on securing our entry points”, Governor Akeredolu said.
