AN Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of 12 mechanics at the Agodi Correctional Centre over alleged treasonable felony and sundry offences, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.
The defendants were Abdullahi Alajiga (38), Olaniyi Dauda (71), Alfa Olafisoye (69), Daudu Babalola (52), Akande Musbau (58), Olatinwo Wale (42), Saheed Tijani (41) and Sunday Awosope (38).
Others are Idris Olujimi (32), Ayobami Idowu (37), Olajire Sodiq (24) and Adeniyi Alimi (51).
They were charged with eight counts, namely, treasonable felony, threat to murder, publication of defamatory matter, threatened violence, publication of false news, unlawful assembly, causing fear and conduct likely to caused breach of peace.
They were alleged to have committed the offence against Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The prosecutor, Inspector Sikiru Opaleye, alleged that the defendants threatened to forcefully remove Governor Makinde from office, in a video they posted on social media.
NAN reported that the pleas of the defendants were, however, not taken on Thursday.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, ordered their remand at the correctional facility, pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
She, consequently, adjourned the case till January 22, 2025, for mention.
According to the charge, the defendants were alleged to have conspired with others at large to commit the offence on December 5, at Olubadan Estate, at Egbeda area of Ibadan.
They were alleged to have unlawfully uttered and made threats to kill Governor Makinde in a video posted on social media
The prosecution also alleged that they published false news on social media, indicating that Makinde had grabbed their lands and ejected them from their workshops with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public.
Opaleye again alleged that the defendants published defamatory matters against the governor He alleged that they assembled in such a manner as to make the neighborhood, fear on reasonable grounds that there was a breach of public peace.
The offences contravene 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.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune