Ondo Assembly crisis: Seven remanded for attacking Mimiko’s convoy

Seven youths have been remanded at the Olokuta Medium Prison following their participation in a protest at the Ondo State House of Assembly along Igbatoro road in Akure, the state capital.

They were nabbed by security operatives during the protest on Thursday for allegedly attacking the convoy of the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

Mimiko had attempted to enter the Assembly with lawmakers loyal to him to present the 2017 budget.

The youths, who were arraigned at Akure ýMagistrate’s Court at Oke-Eda were Tunde Alabi (28); Abiola Eniola (27); Yusuf Muhammed (25); Olanrewaju Olomolotan (40); Adeniyi  Michael (30); Samson Omodara (20) and Ijalade Oluwaseun(27).

 The Assembly have been enmeshed with crisis following the removal of Hon. Jumoke Akindele and other principal officers by 14 lawmakers over an alleged N15millioný fraud.

The aggrieved lawmakers immediately appointed Hon. Malachi Coker as the Acting Speaker, Hon. Ayodele Arowele deputy Speaker and Hon. George Olamide as the Majority Leader.

 Akindele and other embattled principal officers have been laying claim to the leadership of the house, while members of Coker’s faction have been holding plenary sessions at the Assembly Complex.

While the warring lawmakers are struggling over whose faction is the authentic, some youths had taken over the entrance of the Assembly since last Sunday protesting against Mimiko’s decision to present the 2017 budget and some bills few days to the end of his tenure.

The protest went out of hand on Thursday, when the youths were alleged to have blocked the road and also attacked Mimiko’s convoy.

The suspects were slammed with four count charge of felony, public disturbance,  unlawful assemble and public damage.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Martins Olowofeso told the court that the accused persons have committed punishable offence under section 219 of the criminal code cap 36 laws of the Ondo state of Nigeria.

Inspector Olowofeso however prayed the court to remand them at Olokuta Prison to enable further investigation, arrest and arraignment of other suspects who are still at large.

Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Femi Adetoye urged the court to grant them bail in most liberal term and that the offences were bail able.

Adetoye also said that his clients would not jump bail and that they are ready to provide reliable sureties if they are granted to them.

In her ruling, the presiding magistrate, Victoria Bob-Manuel ordered that the accused persons be remanded at Olokuta Prison.

The case was adjourned till February 22, 2017 for mention.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the state Police Command, Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed that the Assembly has been sealed off again.

He said the police is ready to reopen the Assembly if the lawmakers are ready to bury their aggrievances and assure that their won’t be break down of law and order.