Oyo court remands 12 over alleged treasonable felony

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, yesterday, ordered the remand of 12 auto mechanics at the Agodi Correctional Centre over alleged treasonable felony and sundry offences.

The defendants are Abdullahi Alajiga, 38; Olaniyi Dauda, 71; Alfa Olafisoye, 69; Daudu Babalola, 52; Akande Musbau, 58; Olatinwo Wale, 42; Saheed Tijani, 41; and Sunday Awosope, 38.

Others are Idris Olujimi, 32; Ayobami Idowu, 37; OlajireSodiq, 24; and Adeniyi Alimi, 51.

They were charged with eight counts that include treasonable felony, threat to murder, publication of defamatory matter, threatened violence, publication of fake news, unlawful assembly, causing fear, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

The accused were alleged to have committed the offence against Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.

The prosecutor, Inspector Sikiru Opaleye, alleged that the defendants threatened to forcefully remove Makinde from office in a video they posted on social media.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the pleas of the defendants were, however, not taken yesterday.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, ordered their remand at the correctional facility, pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

She, consequently, adjourned the case till January 22, 2025, for mention.

Meanwhile, the defendants were alleged to have conspired with others at large to commit the offence on December 5, at Olubadan Estate, in the Egbeda area of Ibadan.

They were alleged to have unlawfully uttered and made threats to kill Makinde in a video posted on social media.

The prosecution also alleged that they published fake news on social media that Makinde had grabbed their lands and ejected them from their workshops, with the intent to cause fear and alarm to the public.

Besides, Opaleye also alleged that the defendants published defamatory matters against the governor.

He alleged that they assembled in such a manner as to make the neighbourhood fear on reasonable grounds that there is a breach of public peace.