Following the clash between members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Oyo state on Friday, the state Police Command has arraigned 22 transport workers over their alleged involvement.
The clash turned bloody on the said day as commuters and members of the public ran helter-skelter for safety.
The suspects were arraigned on Monday before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, the state capital.
The suspects included Mustapha Ogunjide, 30; Oladipo Sakiru, 53; Tunde Saka, 21; Mumini Ganiyu, 40; Sunday Aromolaran, 25; Peter Adekunle, 34; Modasiru Moraina, 48; Sikuru Olaiwola, 22; Oyebanji Kabiru, 23; Alade Busari, 28; Lateef Afeez, 29; and Safiu Abass, 25.
Others are Ahmed Moshood, 25; Raheem Musa, 42; Muideen Anifowose, 27; Adesina Alaba, 23; Aminu Saibu, 37; Tunde Ajayi, 23; Lukmon Rasheed, 31; Abudullahi Olode, 35; Yekini Aliu, 26 and Akibu Kazeem, 40.
The prosecutor, Mr. M. A. Ojeah, said the defendants had in their possession ‘criminal’ charms without lawful and reasonable reason.
Ojeah said they were arraigned on six counts of conspiracy, attempted murder, unlawful possession of ‘criminal’ charms and acting in a disorderly manner.
According to him, the accused attempted to kill one Kazeem Oguntolu, 42, with a cutlass on July 8.
“The offences contradicted sections 80, 86, 213 and 249 (d) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38 Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000,” the prosecutor added.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor explained that the jurisdiction of the court did not cover criminal offences that carried life imprisonment.
He, however, noted that the plea on attempted murder could not be taken before the court.
The prosecutor said, “The court cannot equally grant bail when it cannot try such an offence. The power to grant bail in such a matter is reserved for the high court.
One of the lawyers for the accused, Mr. John Adejumo, urged the court to strike out the charges.
The magistrate, Mrs. A. F. Richard, directed that the defendants be remanded at the Iyaganku Police Station.
Richard adjourned the case till Wednesday for ruling on the bail application.
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