The Osun State Police Command yesterday arraigned 28 persons before an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court for their alleged involvement in burning down a police station at Iwo.
The police arraigned Raheem Adewale, 26; Lateef Oluwafemi, 28; Ishola Jimoh, 19; Kazeem Rafiu, 31; Kabiru Mudashiru, 35; Ajayi Michael, 18; Wasiu Suleiman, 40; Adeyemi Buhari, 25; Matthew Tochukwu, 26; Tella Akeem, 36; Kamali Dudu, 25; Arioye Saheed, 25 and Adeniyi Muhammed, 23.
Others are: Bashiru Mutairu, 38; Muhammed Abdulrahrem, 25; Peru John, 30; Ibrahim Adeyemi, 39; Kamaru Adisa, 50; Isamatu Ahmed, 23; Saheed Adisa, 51; Adetoye Wasiu, 50; Alao Timileyin, 18; Obele Adeyemi, 23; Jimoh Sadiq, 26; Adiamo Abdullahi, 23; Obele Adekunle, 36; Oladunjoye Isaac, 30 and Owoade Yekini, 20.
The prosecutor, Inspector Mustapha Tajudeen, told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offences on August 24 at 10.30 p.m at Iwo.
Tajudeen said the accused conspired and set ablaze a police area command office and its quarters, which led to unlawful damage of police patrol vehicles with registration numbers NPF 446D, NPF38C, SAS05, NPF 7619 and other items.
He added that the accused also damaged two AK-47 rifles and one riot gun as well as a sport utility vehicle (SUV) with registration number (Lagos) GGC 281 GE valued at N3.4 million.
The prosecutor said accused also assaulted Sergeant Ogundipe Kolawole, inflicting injuries on him and stealing some electronic gadgets valued at N1 million.
Tajudeen said the defendants allegedly stole a pair of police camouflage, three pair of police uniform, one shirt, jeans, and N23,000 cash. According to him, the offences contravene sections 516,443, 451,,356,70, 69,71,390 punishable under Section 383 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. 11 , Laws of Osun State, 2003.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault, breach of peace, unlawful damages, theft and threat to life.
The defence counsel, Mr Taofeeq Telowogbade, prayed the court to admit his clients bail on the most liberal terms.
The Magistrate, Mrs Falilat Sodamade, granted the prayers of the defence lawyer and admitted them to bail for N500,000 each with one surety each in the like sum.
Mrs Sodamade ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of tax payment for two years to the state government.
She also ordered that the sureties must submit three passport photographs to the court registrar and provide affidavits of means.
The magistrate adjourned until October 8 for mention.