Masquerade custodian, Chief Imam granted bail in Osun

By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

An Osun Magistrate Court in Osogbo has granted bail to Chief Imam of Kamarudeen Mosque, Kazeem Yunus, son of the custodian of masquerade, Ifashola Esuleke and five others over alleged vandalisation, assault and engaging in a public fight.

The Nation had reported there was a clash between the masquerade worshippers and Muslim faithful around Kamarudeen mosque, leaving one person dead, 14 injured and properties damaged.

Osun Ministry of Justice on July 8th 2021 took over the case from the police and demanded adjournment to understudy the case.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Asimiyu Adebayo, granted the prayer and adjourned the matter till July 12th 2021 for the accused persons to be arraigned.

On Monday, there was heavy security presence at the premises of the court.

Prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice led by Administrator General and Public Trustee, Abiodun Badiora, arraigned the seven suspects on a single charge with different offences.

The defendants: Ifashola Esuleke, Kola Adeosun and Idowu Abimbola were arraigned on four counts of vandalising Kamarudeen mosque, damaging a Toyota Camry with Registration Number Lagos GGE 954 BV belonging to Muslim faithful of Islamic Society of Nigeria and engagement in a public fight on 27th June 2021 at Oluode Aranyin Area, Osogbo.

Read Also: JUST IN: Heavy security as masquerade custodian, Chief Imam arraigned in Osun

While Kazeem Yunus, Salawu Jimoh, Alarape Sulaiman Akanbi and Raimi Saheed were charged on six counts for assaulting police officers, Inspector Titilayo Bello and Adeshina Oluwafemi attached to Oja-Oba Police Division while performing their lawful official duty and engaging themselves in a public fight.

He noted the offences committed contravene Section 451, 517, 356(5), 197, 83 and 355 of Criminal Code Laws of Osun State, 2002.

However, the seven defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The counsel for the masqueraders, Abimbola Ige and counsel for the Muslims, Barr Kazeem Odedeji, made an oral bail application for the defendants on the most liberal term.

The presiding magistrate granted their bail with N1 million and one surety each.

He adjourned the matter to September 13th 2021 for hearing.