After over two months of detention, the Department of the State Service (DSS) has slapped five-count terrorism charges against two aides of the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo (aka Igboho).
The defendants in the charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/305/2021 and dated August 31 but filed on September 1, 2021, are, Jamiu Noah Oyetunji and a housewife, Mrs Amudat Habibat Babatunde.
The charges signed by S.M Bello and M.I. Bennett indicated that the two defendants and others, still at large on July 1, 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo conspired to commit an act of terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The two defendants, Jamiu Noah Oyetunji and Mrs Amudat Habibat Babatunde – are those the SSS held on to despite the August 4, 2021 order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja for the release of all the 12 detained associates of Adeyemo arrested by DSS operatives during the July 1, 2021 raid on Adeyemo’s Ibadan home.
The charge reads: “That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunji, Amudat Habibat Babatunde with others still at large, on or about the first day of July 2021, at the residence of one Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to commits acts of terrorism, to wits possession of prohibited firearms: contrary to Section 17 of Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
“That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunji, Amudat Habibat Babatunde (adults) with others still at large, on or about the first day of July 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did have in your possession, without lawful authority, the under listed prohibited firearms, five AK 47 rifles with serial numbers 04956, 213740, 8673, 945999 and 6139 respectively, two AK 47 rifles which serial numbers could not be identified, two pump action rifle with serial numbers 8836 and 9398 respectively, one pump action, which serial number could not be identified, and one stun gun; contrary to Section 1(3)(c)(v) of the Terrorism Prevention Act CAP 10, 2011 and punishable under Section 1(2) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) act 2013.
“That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunj, Amudat Habibat Babatunde (adults), with others still at large, on or about the first day of July 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did have in your possession, without lawful authority 1,295 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 221 live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, contrary to Section 1(3)(c)(v) of the Terrorism Prevention Act CAP 10, 2011 and punishable under Section 1(2) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) act 2013.
“That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunj, Amudat Habibat Babatunde (adults) with others still at large, on or about the first day of July 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did involve yourselves in activities in preparation to commit acts of terrorism contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
“That you Amudat Habibat Babatunde (f) adult of Okeare area of Ibadan, Oyo State did use your Facebook account as a platform to promote terrorist activities contrary to Section 181 & 2) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention) Act, 2015.”
However, no date has been fixed for their arraignment.
Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on Wednesday in the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the Federal High Court by the detainees against the DSS, the agency’s lawyer, Idowu Awo told the court that a gang of armed thieves (commonly known as “one chance,” high jacked case file from his colleague who was coming to court with it.
Awo said the thieves snatched the case file from his colleague, who unknowingly, boarded their vehicle, adding that other items belonging to the unnamed colleague were stolen along with the case file.
He then prayed to the court for an adjournment.
Counsel to the applicants, David Olowoniwa initially objected to the DSS’ lawyer’s application for adjournment but later conceded upon the intervention of the judge.
In his ruling, Justice Eguwatu said since the court’s vacation was coming to an end, he would return the case file to the court’s Chief Judge for re-assignment during the regular court session.
Credit: Nigeria Tribune