Osogbo—A 75-year-old High Chief, the Akannare of Ile-Ido Ife, Osun State, Chief Moses Elutilo, was  on Monday, murdered by some masked men who invaded the venue of a meeting.

It was gathered that the deceased, had at about  8:00am  on the faithful day received a call that there was going to be   a meeting at about  10:00am  at Atagilere plank hall on Ondo road, Ile-Ife of which he must attend.

The source noted that when the deceased got to the venue of the meeting at about  10:00am, he was asked to lead the opening prayer by one Yemi.

“As soon as he stood up to pray, he was immediately attacked by the masked men who attacked him with dangerous weapons and smashed his head,” the source added.

The deceased was said to have been immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but suddenly gave up the ghost before medical attention could reach him.

It was gathered that the deceased was the only star witness in a land dispute before Justice A. A. Onibokun of the State High Court, Ile-Ife.

Chief Elutilo’s death was announced to the court yesterday when counsel to the plaintiff in suit marked: HIF/16/2015 in a case involving Ido Reformation Committee Versus Dr. E. B. Makusota and Prophet  Sunday  Oyebode, aka, Kind Solomon came up yesterday.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Albert Okuovara told the court that the only witness in the case had been murdered  on Monday.

Justice Onibokun adjourned the case till  July 13, 2016  to enable the plaintiff put its house in order so as to continue with the case.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, DSP Folasade Odoro while confirming the incident said the matter was under investigation.

She added that an autopsy would be carried out on the corpse and circumstances surrounding the murder of the deceased.