Police arraign 14

The Police yesterday took 14 persons before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court, Iyaganku for alleged demonstration, malicious damage and destruction of innocent people’s property.

The accused were allegedly demonstrating over the Soka kidnappers’ den.

The accused, Taye Lamidi,18, Samson Opeyemi, 22, Uchenna Anthony ,20, Sunday Ebedi, 19, Sakiru Ogunjobi, 19, Jamiu Oriolowo, 23, Jubril Bakare, 25 and Samuel Kayode, 25, were all in court.

Others are Adeniyi Adetunji, 34, Pinnock Folorunso, 24, Habib Adekola, 22, Suraju Adeoye, 28, Bayo Okunlola, 26, and Ahmed Yishau.

The accused were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, demonstration and malicious damage.

The prosecutor, Mr James Oriola, alleged that the accused conspired to commit misdemeanour with malicious damage.

Oriola said all the accused wilfully and maliciously damaged the front and back wind screens of one Toyota Camry valued at N100,000, property of one Mrs Josephine Jolayemi.

He also explained that all the accused conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by demonstrating and destroying innocent citizens’ property.

Oriola said the offence was committed on March 23 at Soka, Ibadan.

He said the offence contravened sections 249 (d) , 451 and 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol.II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Risikat Ebelokun–Mustapha, granted all the accused bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum