Thursday,
October 17, 2024 -A member of the
Yoruba Nation agitators, Adejumo Lateef, has died while in custody, officials
of the Nigeria Correctional Services revealed on Wednesday, October 16.
Lateef, the 18th defendant in an ongoing trial, was part of a group
facing charges in connection with the April 13, 2024 invasion of the Oyo State
government Secretariat.
The suspects, under the aegis of Yoruba Nation Agitators, are accused of
attempting to declare the sovereign Republic of Yoruba Nation (Oodua Republic)
during the incident. The case, filed under suit number I/51c/2024, is being
heard at the Fiat Court 3 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan,
presided over by Justice K. B. Olawoyin.
The 27 defendants, including the late Adejumo Lateef, face charges of
conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable
felony, and treason. Among those standing trial are Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo
Joseph, Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, and Ayanwale Rofiat, along with others such as
Fatoki Anthony, Murittala Abefe, and Ismaila Adepoju.
The charges stem from the events of April 13, 2024, and are punishable
under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State,
2000.
At Wednesday’s court session, the case could not proceed as planned due
to the majority of the defendants lacking legal representation. Adebola Ogungbe
represented the 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 12th defendants, while Toluwase Ogundeji
stood in for the 15th defendant. Two additional lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola and S.A.
Sanmi, volunteered to represent other unrepresented defendants.
However, the 6th, 23rd, and 24th defendants informed the court that they
would contact their families to arrange legal representation. As a result,
Justice Olawoyin adjourned the case to November 6, 8, and 13 for arraignment
and further hearings.
The case is being prosecuted by a team from the Oyo State Government led
by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. S. O. Adeoye, along with
Deputy DPP O. R. Yussuf, and other senior state counsels including S. A.
Osuolale, Yisa Busari, and O. A. Bolarinwa.
The death of Adejumo Lateef in custody adds another layer of complexity to the already sensitive case involving the Yoruba Nation movement.
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