BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State has ordered the remand of seven suspected cultists in prison for allegedly shooting guns and damaging campaign billboards of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.
The defendants, who were dragged to the court by the police, were accused of threatening the peace of the Ilesa, Osogbo and Iragbiji communities while being armed with guns and dangerous weapons.
The defendants include Azeez Abibu, aged 29, Musbau Nurudeen, 23, Wasiu Sodiq, 28, Ganiyu Lekan, 27, Azeez Sikiru, 26, Soliu Mohammed, 20, and 21-year-old Ibrahim Mohammed.
The defendants were charged on fifteen count-charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, unlawful shooting among others.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun, stated that the seven defendants are members of Aye and Emir Boys Confraternity adding that they committed the offences on June 18, 2022, with others now at large.
He explained that they damaged a billboard and campaign posters which belong to the APC in ilesa, Iragbiji and Osogbo with dangerous weapons.
The offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 70, 64(a), 517, 451, 249(d), 517 and 80 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations. They were represented by two counsels, Najite Okobe and Tunbosun Oladipupo.
Chief Magistrate Olusola Aluko ordered the defendants to be remanded in ilesa Correctional Centre.
Aluko asked the defence to furnish the court with formal bail application. He adjourned the case till August 1 for consideration of bail.
