An Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun on Tuesday remanded in Ilesa prison an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Fatai Oyedele and six others over alleged breach of public peace.
The other accused persons remanded are Salau Moshood, 43; Adekunle Onikole,40; Oladosu Alo, 53; Funsho Babalola, 51; Babayo Daudu, 36; and Babalola Kayode, 42.
The Prosecutor, Chris Okafor, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Monday at about 12.05 pm at ring road area of Osogbo.
Okafor said the accused conspired among themselves to chant abusive songs which were political and almost led to a breach of public peace.
He said the offences contravened Sections 517, 349, and 69 and were punishable under Section 70 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun, 2002.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against them while their counsel, Mr Olarewaju Jaiyeoba, appealed for bail.
Chief Magistrate Ayo Ayeni adjourned the case till July 18 for hearing.
Meanwhile, the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) has described the arrest as “political, illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic.”
The group said it was irresponsible on the part of the State government to orchestrate politically motivated arrest against those with different political views at a time the people are “clamouring for total change in the governance of the State as a result of maladministration of Aregbesola’s government”.
The group also condemned Monday’s indefinite suspension of three staff of the State owned broadcasting Station, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) without query as stipulated by the Civil service rules.
Among those suspended were Mrs. Folakemi Alonge of the Editorial department; Mr. Kunle Makanjuola and Mr. Gbadebo Adepoju of the Marketing department.
Director of News and Current Affairs of the Radio arm, Mr. Olushola Ajiboye was earlier suspended.
CSCEOS Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, in a statement, alleged that the arrest and suspension were on the order of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, “to silent any perceived enemy of his maladministration”.
It called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and State Commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye, not to allow themselves to be used to muscle innocent Nigerians.
The group advised Aregbesola to see the outcome of Saturday bye-election as wish of the people, urging him to, “retrace his step in governance of the State and stop playing God”.
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