APC chieftain, 6 others sent to prison

An Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun on Tuesday remanded
in Ilesa prison an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Fatai
Oyedele and six others over alleged breach of public peace.

The other accused persons remanded are Salau Moshood, 43;
Adekunle Onikole,40; Oladosu Alo, 53; Funsho Babalola, 51; Babayo
Daudu, 36; and Babalola Kayode, 42.

The Prosecutor, Chris Okafor, told the court that the accused
committed the offence on Monday at about 12.05 pm at ring road area
of Osogbo.

Okafor said the accused conspired among themselves to chant
abusive songs which were political and almost led to a breach of
public peace.

He said the offences contravened Sections 517, 349, and 69 and
were punishable under Section 70 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol.
II, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against
them while their counsel, Mr Olarewaju Jaiyeoba, appealed for
bail.

Chief Magistrate Ayo Ayeni adjourned the case till July 18 for
hearing.

Meanwhile, the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of
Osun State (CSCEOS) has described the arrest as “political,
illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic.”

The group said it was irresponsible on the part of the State
government to orchestrate politically motivated arrest against
those with different political views at a time the people are
“clamouring for total change in the governance of the State as a
result of maladministration of Aregbesola’s government”.

The group also condemned Monday’s indefinite suspension of three
staff of the State owned broadcasting Station, Osun State
Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) without query as stipulated by the
Civil service rules.

Among those suspended were Mrs. Folakemi Alonge of the Editorial
department; Mr. Kunle Makanjuola and Mr. Gbadebo Adepoju of the
Marketing department.

Director of News and Current Affairs of the Radio arm, Mr.
Olushola Ajiboye was earlier suspended.

CSCEOS Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, in a
statement, alleged that the arrest and suspension were on the order
of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, “to silent any perceived enemy of his
maladministration”.

It called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim
Idris and State Commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye, not to
allow themselves to be used to muscle innocent Nigerians.

The group advised Aregbesola to see the outcome of Saturday
bye-election as wish of the people, urging him to, “retrace his
step in governance of the State and stop playing God”.

An Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun on Tuesday remanded
in Ilesa prison an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Fatai
Oyedele and six others over alleged breach of public peace.

The other accused persons remanded are Salau Moshood, 43;
Adekunle Onikole,40; Oladosu Alo, 53; Funsho Babalola, 51; Babayo
Daudu, 36; and Babalola Kayode, 42.

The Prosecutor, Chris Okafor, told the court that the accused
committed the offence on Monday at about 12.05 pm at ring road area
of Osogbo.

Okafor said the accused conspired among themselves to chant
abusive songs which were political and almost led to a breach of
public peace.

He said the offences contravened Sections 517, 349, and 69 and
were punishable under Section 70 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol.
II, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against
them while their counsel, Mr Olarewaju Jaiyeoba, appealed for
bail.

Chief Magistrate Ayo Ayeni adjourned the case till July 18 for
hearing.

Meanwhile, the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of
Osun State (CSCEOS) has described the arrest as “political,
illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic.”

The group said it was irresponsible on the part of the State
government to orchestrate politically motivated arrest against
those with different political views at a time the people are
“clamouring for total change in the governance of the State as a
result of maladministration of Aregbesola’s government”.

The group also condemned Monday’s indefinite suspension of three
staff of the State owned broadcasting Station, Osun State
Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) without query as stipulated by the
Civil service rules.

Among those suspended were Mrs. Folakemi Alonge of the Editorial
department; Mr. Kunle Makanjuola and Mr. Gbadebo Adepoju of the
Marketing department.

Director of News and Current Affairs of the Radio arm, Mr.
Olushola Ajiboye was earlier suspended.

CSCEOS Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, in a
statement, alleged that the arrest and suspension were on the order
of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, “to silent any perceived enemy of his
maladministration”.

It called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim
Idris and State Commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye, not to
allow themselves to be used to muscle innocent Nigerians.

The group advised Aregbesola to see the outcome of Saturday
bye-election as wish of the people, urging him to, “retrace his
step in governance of the State and stop playing God”.