The accused are: Haruna Yahaya, 20; Sanni Akau, 28; Isah Muhammed, 18 and Ibrahim Shuabu, 18.

They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

The magistrate, Mrs Fowowe-Erusiafe, who refused to take the plea of the accused persons for lack of jurisdiction, ordered their remand in prison to await the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Maria Dauda, said that the accused committed the alleged offences on Aug. 2 at Ilufe Junction, Ojo Alaba.

He alleged that the accused beat the 23-old deceased, Chimezie Umeh, to death by clubbing him with sticks.

“The deceased, during a heated argument with Haruna, who sells groceries, slapped him`, which angered the other three accused who joined Haruna to club Umeh with sticks.

“The deceased died two days later in the hospital due to the injuries sustained,’’ she said.

She said that the offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which prescribes death penalty for any guilty offender.

The Magistrate adjourned the case to Oct. 4, for the DPP’s advice.