Osun court remands duo for assaulting police officer

Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo

An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court has remanded two persons, Omotayo Damilola, 24 and Lekan Aderibigbe, 25 for allegedly assaulting a police officer while performing his lawful duty.

The duo allegedly committed the offence on March 21, 2021 around 9:00 am at Oniyangi area in Ile-Ife.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the accused persons conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: serious assault and wilful damage.

He added that the duo conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of public peace by fighting the police officer performing his lawful duty.

The prosecutor said that the accused persons assaulted Inspector Nkwa Sabastine by holding and tearing his uniform while performing his lawful duty.

He stated further that the accused persons willfully damaged a police vehicle, with registration number: NPF 9294 C, by breaking its windscreen.

He explained that the accused persons also belonged to a secret society called Aye confraternity and had been disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of Ile-Ife.

He added that they had in their possession one bag of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, which they were smoking.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 5, 62(A), 249(D), 356(3), 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge of conspiracy, assault, damage, breach of peace, obstruction, possession of Indian hemp and membership of a secret cult.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Samuel Obi, urged the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal term, assuring that they would not jump bail but would provide reliable sureties.

Magistrate Abiona Adebayo declined the bail application and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.

The case was adjourned till April 15, for hearing.