29 Yoruba nation agitators arraigned in Ibadan
THE Police in Ibadan, yesterday, arraigned 29 suspected Yoruba nation agitators before the Chief Magistrate's Court sitting in Ibadan for their involvement and roles in aborted invasion of Oyo State government Secretariat on Saturday, April 13.
They were arraigned on a seven- count charge bordering on treasonable felony, unlawful society, illegal possession of firearm, going armed and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
The offences, according to the Investigative Police Officer ( IPO), Bakare Rasaq, an Inspector with the State Criminal Investigation Department ( SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan, is contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.
The number was an increase of nine more suspects following 20 suspects earlier paraded by the Oyo State Police Command, on Monday, April 15.
One of the counts in the charge number MI/ 520c/ 2024, reads: "That the defendants and others at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully go armed in the public with guns, cutlasses, charms, and knives without lawful occasion in such a manner as to cause terror to Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and the public, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 80 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.”
During the session, a mild drama ensued when one of the defendants collapsed while the charges were being read.
She was, however, revived when water was poured on her by a combination of police officers and court officials.
However, their pleas were not taken as Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi ordered that the defendants be kept in the Correctional facility, which was not disclosed and adjourned to August 1, for hearing.