Hearing in the trial of five men arrested during the August 5
protest organised by #RevolutionNow Movement in Osogbo on Wednesday
was stalled following the absence of Magistrate Adebola
Ajanaku.
All the routes leading to the court was cordoned off by armed
policemen, as Osogbo/Ilobu Road was closed to traffic until
activists, who had thronged the area in solidarity of those
standing trial, left the court.
The five defendants, Owolabi Olawale, 32; Fagunwa Temitope, 29;
Oluwafemi Johnson, 26; Owoeye Olaoluwa, 22; and Omoloye Stephen,
21; were on August 7 arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court
on three counts bordering on unlawful gathering, breach of public
peace and conspiracy.
The defendants were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with a
surety each in like sum, following an application by their counsel,
Alfred Adegoke, and the matter was adjourned for hearing till
October 16.
But the matter could not proceed on Wednesday, though all the
defendants were in court.
Giving reasons while the matter could not proceed, counsel for
the defendants, Adegoke, said the court was on leave, adding that
the matter had been moved to Thursday, November 14.
Adegoke, who also condemned security agents for cordoning off
the road leading to the premises of the high court, where the
matter was to be heard, said the peaceful protest was to demand for
the release of the convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele
Sowore, and another activist called Mandate.
He said, “Take It Back Movement, Campaign for Democratic and
Workers Right, as well as Democratic Socialist Movement are the
groups that sent representatives to witness today’s
proceedings.
“Police cordoning off the road leading to the court and
subjecting people to needless hardship is uncalled for. The members
of the groups are saying charges against Sowore, Mandate and those
standing trial in Osogbo should be dropped immediately.”
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