For allegedly having hand in the communal crisis that ensued between Hausa and Yoruba in Ile-Ife, an Osogbo High Court has remanded in Ilesa prison custody a traditional ruler in Ile-Ife, the Alapoje of Apoje, Oba Ademola Ademiluyi and a Pastor, Taiwo Fakowajo.
Others arraigned and remanded are: Eluwole Akeem, Jimoh Sakiru, Daniel Olarenwaju and Bamidele Elurisanmi.
The suspects were arraigned on a 14-count-charge of murder, armed robbery, arson, stealing, conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, disturbance of public peace, assault, among others.
Prosecuting Counsel, Mr. Simon Lough told the court that the accused persons conspired to murder 46 people on March 6th, 7th and 8th, 2017 at Sabo area in Ile-Ife, Osun state.
According to Lough, the accused persons conspired to inflict injuries on 96 people with the use of knives, cutlasses and broken bottles.
The prosecutor also informed the court that the accused persons committed arson by setting shops belonging to 21 people and police vans on fire.
Lough alleged further that the suspects robbed 27 people and stole properties worth millions of naira during the three days’ crisis.
But the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the 14 count charges leveled against them.
Defence counsel for the accused persons, Mr. Muritala Agboola applied for the bail of the suspects, praying the court to be liberal on the bail conditions.
Agboola told the court that the accused persons were ready to stand trial, saying that they were still presumed innocent until they are proved guilty by a court of law.
The presiding judge, Justice Kudirat Akano rejected the oral bail application, directing the defence counsel to provide formal bail application for all the accused persons.
She then ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ilesa prison custody and adjourned the case till June 14, 15 and 16, 2017 for hearing.
Packaged by Bunmi Oladejo
