*Adjourns case to July 26
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
An Oyo State Magistrate court, sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan on Friday, remanded nine allies of the former Chairman of Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi Auxiliary for alleged conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms.
The nine suspects were arraigned by the Police on a 16-count charge before the Iyaganku Magistrate Court.
According to the Police, the arraigned suspects are, Olaniyi Abiodun, Kamoru Yusuf, Odunayo Ismaila, Kolawole Joshua, Oladosu Kunle, Fatai Abidemi, Oluwoke Akanbi, Sarafadeen Adewale, and Tirimisiyu Odunayo
The charge sheets read in part, “That you, (suspects) and others now at large on 29th May 2023 at about 2:00 pm at Governor Seyi Makinde”s residence, Ikolaba area, Ibadan in the Magistrate Court District did conspire together to commit felony to wit armed robbery and, thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under section 6 (B) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R 11 Vol 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defense counsel, Barr J. D. Olaniyan during the arraignment of the suspects argued that the Magistrate Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case considering the charges leveled against them .
Barrister Olaniyan prayed the Court to remand the suspects at Agodi Correctional Centre, pending the time that the case would be assigned to a competent court of law for hearing.
” This Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case with the nature of the charges which ranges from attempted murder to armed robbery. I, therefore, pray the Court to remand them at Agodi Correctional Centre for accessibility and convenience”, he said.
Barrister Olaniyan added, ” This will make it easier to their counsels to prepare their defense as well bail application.”
Magistrate, S.H. Adebisi in his ruling said the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case as the charges ranges from conspiracy, and armed robbery to attempted murder which is a capital offense.
Magistrate Adebisi then ordered that the nine suspects be remanded in prison and subsequently adjourned the case till July 26, 2023.
