BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A Magistrate’s court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered that four suspected land speculators should be remanded for allegedly threatening to kill a traditional ruler in the state, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniyan, the Olobu of Ilobu, and other parties in a land matter.
The suspected land speculators, Azeez Basiru, 57; Jimoh Kadri, 48; Kazeem Ashiru, 42; and 37-year-old Muideen Azeez, with others at large, having allegedly armed themselves with two cut to size single barrel guns, and other dangerous weapons, threatened the king and three land owners in the community.
The land owners are Olateju Kazeem, Araoye Sikiru, and Salami Naheem.
Police prosecutor, Rasaq Olayiwola, told the court that the defendants, on the 10th and 27th of June, at about 9am at Abepe Ekutu area, Ilobu, committed felony, wit unlawful possession of firearms and live cartridges, threatened to cause violence.
The defendants, who allegedly threatened to kill the land owners with guns and other dangerous weapons, were said to have damaged the corner pieces and blocks on the land.
Olayiwola said that the defendants breached public peace by behaving in a manner that caused terror in the community.
The charge read that the land speculators committed offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 86, 517, 451, 430(1), and 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
They were also said to have contravened Sections 27(1) (a)(I) and 27(1)(b)(ii) of the Firearms Act Cap F. 28 Laws of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 14 counts.
Their counsel, Tayo Oladipupo, prayed the court to grant them bail on liberal term.
Magistrate A. O. Ajanaku ordered the defence counsel to furnish the court with a written bail application. He remanded the defendants at the Ilesa Correctional Centre pending the August 31 adjourned date.
