Six men who claimed to be members of Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), on Monday appeared before an Isabo Magistrates’ Court, Abeokuta, for allegedly assaulting two traders with dangerous weapons.
The accused are: Gbenga Adeniyi 21, Francis Daniel 18, Lekan Onaneye 20, Suraju Oyedele 19, Kehinde Lawansin 21 and Taiwo Oluwafemi 22.
They were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault, breach of the peace and possession of dangerous weapons.
The prosecutor, Mr Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 12 at 9 a.m at Kuto Market, Abeokuta. He said the six men, who claimed to be members of OPC, conspired and assaulted two traders in the market Femi Anayo and Damilare Adeniji.
According to the prosecutor, the accused, armed with broken bottles, machetes, axes and other dangerous weapons invaded the market and assaulted their victims.
He added that the incident was reported by other traders to the police and were arrested while beating their victims with the dangerous weapons.
“The accused are in the habit of causing mayhem in the market, assaulting and threatening innocent traders all in the name of being OPC members,’’ Ozimini said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 80, 249 351 and 516 of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Mr Femi Meyile, counsel to the accused, applied for their bail on liberal term and assured the court that they would not jump bail.
In his ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Adekunle, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till Aug. 28 for further hearing.