Ibadan – The Police in Oyo State have arraigned seven members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state in an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for allegedly chasing stakeholders away from a meeting.
The suspects are: Sikiru Sodo, 55, Waheed Olojede, 60, Oseni Kabir, 56, Oparinde Kehinde, 41, Falade Akinyemi, 51, Ogundeji Kofoworola, 72, and Adegboku Titi, 55.
The suspects were on Friday charged with conspiracy, unlawful damage, unlawful assault, and unlawful procession and chasing governor Ajimobi from education stakeholders meeting.
The Police Prosecutor, Mr M.A Ojeah told the court that the seven accused persons allegedly conspired to commit the offence to wit conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
Ojeah alleged that the accused persons willfully and unlawfully damaged plastic chairs valued at N1million, property of Oyo state government on June 1, 2016 at about 11a.m in the state secretariat, Ibadan.
He said the accused persons unlawful assaulted one Olalekan Alli, the Secretary to the State Government by beating him and caused him bodily harm.
He said the suspects conducted themselves in a manner likely to o cause breach of peace by chasing Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state when holding meeting with the stakeholders.
Ojeah said the accused persons allegedly assembled together in an unlawful procession carrying Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) banners.
He said the offence contravened sections 86, 88, 249 (d), 355, 451 and 516 of Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo state 2000.
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.
The Counsel to the first defendant, Mr W. Olajide said all the six charges against his client were bail able, and asked for bail on a most liberal term.
He said as a Director in the Civil Service that walked voluntarily to the Police Station had a clear conscience.
Olajide urged the court to release the first defendant’s cell phone without bond.
Mr Akin Ladipo, Counsel to the second and third defendants, said Olojede was the NLC Chairman in Oyo state, and urged the court to grant him bail on self recognition.
Yakuk Fadare, who appeared for the fourth and fifth defendants asked for bail on liberal term and urged the court to use his discretion judicially and judiciously.
Mr Olutayo Oyewale, who also appeared for the sixth and seventh defendants, urged the court not to be used by the Oyo state government.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abdulateef Adebisi, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N200, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Adebisi said each of the sureties should have three years tax clearance with work identity card and national identity card.
He, thereafter, adjourned the case till June 24 for hearing.
It will be recalled that the state government on Thursday organised stakeholders meeting on its planned ceding of schools to interested groups, old students’ association and communities.
The NUT, however, protested the planned ceding of schools and stopped the stakeholders meeting organised by the government.
