The Police yesterday arraigned chairman of The Osun Progressives, a faction of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Lowo Adebiyi, and six other members of the group for alleged conspiracy and assault.
All the accused persons are known political associates of the minister of interior Rauf Aregbesola.
They were arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara of Osogbo Magistrates’ Court.
Others arraigned were the incumbent APC caretaker secretary, Rasaq Salinsile; ex-Osun commissioner for works, Kazeem Salami; ex-commissioner for sports and special needs, Biyi Odunlade, ex-assistant chief of staff to the governor, Gbenga Akano; Alaba Popoola and Azeez Adekunle.
The charges stem from clashes between supporters of the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola, and those of Aregbesola, at the APC State Secretariat in Osogbo, on Saturday, August 14 over issues that arose from the last ward congress of the party in Osun.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants on August 14 at about 1:30 pm at Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo allegedly conspired to commit assault occasioning harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 34 vol II laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The defendants were also said to have at the same location and time, assaulted one Hamsat Babatunde, by hitting his head with a stone, causing him harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 355 of the criminal code, cap 34 vol II, laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
Following the defendants’ not guilty plea, the magistrate admitted to bail Adebiyi, Salinsile, Salami, Akano and Odunlade on self-recognition.
But Popoola and Adekunle were granted bail in the sum of N5m and one surety in like sum.
The case was adjourned till September 24 for mention.
