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Yoruba Nation Agitators Plead Not Guilty to Charges in Oyo Court; Give Reasons

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 7th, 2024.

Yoruba Nation Agitators Plead Not Guilty to Charges in Oyo Court; Give Reasons

The 27 individuals arrested for allegedly participating in the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan, in support of the Yoruba Nation movement, have pleaded not guilty to the charges presented against them. The defendants were brought before the Oyo State High Court on Wednesday, where the charges were formally read to them.

The incident occurred on April 13, 2024, at the Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, and the accused face several charges, including conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason. The charges are in violation of Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The case, titled State vs. Adeyemo Peter & 26 Others, is being heard under suit number I/51c/2024 at Fiat Court 3, Ring Road, Ibadan. The 27 accused individuals, including Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo Joseph, Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, Ayanwale Rofiat, and others, appeared in court for their arraignment. During the proceedings, it was noted that one of the accused, Adejumo Lateef, had passed away since the initial appearance.

The charges stem from an alleged attempt by the defendants to declare the sovereignty of the Yoruba Nation by invading the Secretariat. They are accused of plotting to disrupt the state’s administration and engage in activities considered to undermine national security.

The prosecution team, led by Mr. S. O. Adeoye, the Director of Public Prosecution, with assistance from Deputy DPP O. R. Yussuf and other state counsel, presented an application before the court seeking to amend the list of defendants. This included removing the name of the deceased defendant, correcting a duplicate entry, and adding a name that had been left out. The application was uncontested and granted by the court.

One of the defense lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola, raised a preliminary objection, questioning the jurisdiction of the Oyo State High Court to hear certain counts, particularly the treason charge. He argued that treason is a federal offense and that the state needed authorization from the Attorney General of the Federation to proceed with those specific charges. However, the court decided that this objection would not prevent the arraignment, and the charges were read to the defendants in Yoruba, with each pleading not guilty.

After the arraignment, the prosecution requested an adjournment to address the preliminary objections. All defense counsels did not oppose the request. Justice K. B. Olawoyin adjourned the case until November 13, 2024, to hear the arguments regarding the objection to the court’s jurisdiction.