The Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has asked the state’s Caretaker Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, to discontinue the court case against some chieftains of the party who had invaded the party secretariat with armed thugs a fortnight ago.
Governor Gboyega on Tuesday, gave the directive in a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan.
Recall that TheNewsGuru (TNG) reported yesterday how the Caretaker Committee Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Mr. Rasaq Salinsile, ex-APC chairman Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, two former commissioners and two ex-executive council (exco) members in the administration of former governor Rauf Aregbesola were arraigned at an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court.
Also arraigned were ex-commissioner for Works and Transport Kazeem Salami, former commissioner for Youth, Sports and Special Needs Biyi Odunlade, ex-special adviser to the governor on Taxation Gbenga Akano and two others, namely Alaba Popoola and Azeez Adekunle, on two counts of conspiracy and assault.
Police prosecutor John Idoko told the court that the defendants and others at large, on August 14, about 1:30pm, at Ogo-Oluwa conspired to unlawfully assault Hamzat Babatunde by hitting him with stones on his head, which caused him harm.
He said: “The defendants assaulted Ajetumobi Muideen, male, by hitting him with parts of broken plastic chairs on his head, which caused him harm.”
Idoko said the offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 516 and 355 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. Il laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
The defendants pleaded not guilty.
Defence counsel Muftau Adediran and Abdulfatai Abdulsalam prayed the court to grant the defendants bail in the most liberal term.
The Magistrate, Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, granted Salinsile, Adebiyi, Salami, Odunlade and Akano bail in the sum of N5millon and self-recognition, while Popoola and Adekunle were granted bail in the sum of N5million and one surety, who must be a civil servant in the state.
He adjourned the case till September 24.
When the Appeal Committee of the APC Ward Congress was sitting on August 14, violence erupted at the party’s secretariat and two people were injured, as loyalists of Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and those of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola clashed.