A Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has ordered the remand of two tricyclists, Mohamud Saad and Sunday Emmanuel, at the Oke-Kura Correctional Facility over the alleged assault of a human rights lawyer, Taofiq Olateju, and his wife, Monsurat Olateju.

The suspects were arraigned on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, assault, and causing bodily harm.

According to court proceedings, the incident occurred on Sunday following a disagreement over road obstruction in Ilorin. The lawyer alleged that the suspects attacked him and his wife after he politely asked them to move their tricycles to allow free flow of traffic.

Narrating his ordeal, Olateju said the situation escalated unexpectedly.

"I only asked them calmly to give way for other road users, but they suddenly became aggressive and descended on me and my wife," he said.

He added that the attack happened right in front of his family house whilst they were heading out.

"They assaulted us seriously. My wife sustained injuries on her hand and had to be rushed to the hospital. Even whilst being taken away by security operatives, they continued threatening me and my family," Olateju stated.

His wife, Monsurat, was said to have suffered injuries to her right hand and received medical treatment following the incident.

The police subsequently arrested the suspects and charged them to court. However, during the arraignment, both defendants denied the allegations contained in the First Information Report (FIR).

Despite their plea, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs O. M. Adebosin, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in custody pending further hearing.

A portion of the FIR presented by the police read: "You, Mohamud Saad and Sunday Emmanuel, conspired together, used abusive language, and assaulted the complainant and his wife, thereby causing injury to the woman."

The report further stated that the complainant had approached the suspects peacefully before the situation degenerated into violence.

The court has adjourned the case until 28th April 2026, for further mention, whilst the defendants remain in custody.

The incident has raised fresh concerns amongst residents about increasing cases of road rage and violence involving commercial tricycle operators in the state.