An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan ordered the remand of 12 mechanics at the Agodi Correctional Centre on Thursday. They are facing charges of alleged treasonable felony and various other 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
– Sunday Awosope, 38
– Idris Olujimi, 32
– Ayobami Idowu, 37
– Olajire Sodiq, 24
– Adeniyi Alimi, 51.
The defendants faced eight charges: treasonable felony, threat to murder, publication of defamatory matter, threatened violence, publication of false news, unlawful assembly, causing fear, and conduct likely to breach the peace, all against Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Prosecutor Insp. Sikiru Opaleye alleged that they threatened to forcibly remove the governor in a social media video. After their plea was taken, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, ordered the defendants to be remanded at the correctional facility pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). As a result, she adjourned the case until January 22, 2025, for further mention.
According to the charges, the defendants are alleged to have conspired with others who are currently at large to commit the offence on December 5 at Olubadan Estate in the Egbeda area of Ibadan. They are accused of unlawfully making threats to kill Governor Makinde in a video that was posted on social media.
Additionally, the prosecution claims that the defendants published false information on social media, suggesting that Governor Makinde had unlawfully taken their lands and evicted them from their workshops, with the intent to cause fear and alarm among the public.
Opaleye once again alleged that the defendants published defamatory statements against the governor. He claimed that they assembled in a manner that caused members of the neighbourhood to reasonably fear a breach of public peace.
These offences violate the provisions of sections 41(b), 59, 70, 86(1), 249(d), 323, 375, and 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Oyo State 2000.
