An Ilorin Magistrate court on Wednesday ordered that five
accused persons brought before it in connection with the January
13, 2019 attack on the Agbaji, Ilorin family residence of the
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki be remanded in the Federal
prison custody, Ilorin.
The five accused persons according to the Police First
Information Report (FIR) are Omotosho Alawo, Ibrahim Shittu, Usman
Ayilara Gobir, Ahmed Shina and Olashehu Ndarabi.
They were alleged to have been involved in the political mayhem
and unleashed terror on Agbaji and Ode Alfa Nda communities, Ilorin
during an electioneering campaign in the metropolis.
According to the FIR, the suspects engaged themselves in a
free-for-all during which at least four persons: Yusuf Babatunde,
Ibrahim Taofeeq, Adisa Muritala, Hussein Hassan sustained serious
injuries.
The fracas, the Police FIR alleged also led to the destruction
of several vehicles parked within the areas by innocent citizens
while buildings were also damaged.
It added that concerted efforts of the operatives of the
Criminal Intelligence and Investigating Department, Police
headquarters, Ilorin led to the arrest of the accused persons.
The FIR stated that the accused persons had confessed to having
actively participated in the fracas with others who are presently
at large.
The report also said that one of the telephone sets allegedly
stolen at the scene of the mayhem was recovered from one of the
accused persons, Omotoso Alawo.
The accused persons were dragged before the court over alleged
criminal conspiracy, mischief, theft, an attempt to commit an
offence to with culpable homicide contrary to sections
97,327,288,299 of the Penal code.
They all pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
The prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, urged the court to remand the
accused persons in prison custody pending the conclusion of police
investigation on the matter.
The counsel of the accused persons, Mr Ayodeji Saka prayed the
court to discountenance the submission of the prosecutor, arguing
that the accused were still presumed innocent until contrarily
proven. He said that remanding his clients is tantamount to
pre-trial conviction.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mariam Dasuki ordered that the all the
accused persons should be remanded in the custody of the Federal
prison and adjourn the case till February 12, 2019 for hearing.
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