By OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
Ninety-eight men were on Monday arraigned by the Police before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged threat to violence and unlawful procession.
The defendants were facing a four-count charge of threatening violence, armed in public without lawful occasion, embark on unlawful procession and unlawful possession of firearms.
The police prosecutor, Mr. Samson Osubu, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Jan.25 at Itawure along Efon Alaaye highway between Osun State and Ekiti State border.
Osubu alleged that the defendants did threatened violence.
He said the defendants went with armed in public without lawful occasion in such a manner as to cause terror.
He also alleged that the defendants, while in eleven vehicles did embark on unlawful procession from Ibadan, Oyo State, heading to Ado-Ekiti for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Primary Election.
He added that the defendants unlawfully have in their possession, two pump action guns, three locally made pistol, six dane guns, 98 cartridges, knives, cutlass and charm.
According to him, the offences contravenes Sections 516, 80, 88 and Section 4 and Punishable under Section 27(b) (c) of Firearms Act Laws of Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Their counsels, Mr. Odunayo Okunade, Mr Busuyi Ayorinde and Mr. Chris Omokhafe, respectively, urged the court to grant them bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Titilayo Ola-Olorun, in her ruling, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case till Feb.23 for mention.
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