By Bukola Hameed
29 persons were, on Wednesday, arraigned before an Ibadan Magistrate Court over alleged intention to forcefully remove the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, from office.
The 29 persons, suspected to be members of a Yoruba Nation agitation group were arraigned before the court presided over by Chief Magistrate O. O. Ogunkanmi.
They allegedly invaded the Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan, last Saturday, where they engaged security agencies in a shootout for several minutes before they were eventually overpowered and arrested.
The 29 persons were arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on treasonable felony, unlawful society and conduct likely to cause breach of peace contrary to provisions of section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
They were also charged for having the intention to forcefully remove Governor Makinde from office, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
The 29 persons were charged with the allegation of declaring the birth of the Yoruba Nation, which was deemed an unlawful society.
The 29 Yoruba Nation agitators were also accused of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by going to the State Secretariat armed and declaring Yoruba Nation, an offence punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code.
The 29 persons were also accused of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition running contrary to the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.
The case, with charge number MI/520C/2024, has the Oyo State Commissioner of Police as prosecution and the 29 persons as defendants.
Chief Magistrate O. O. Ogunkanmi adjourned further hearing on the case till 1 August, 2024.
It would be recalled that the 29 suspected Yoruba Nation agitators disturbed the peace of Ibadan, the state capital, as they invaded the State Secretariat, allegedly to hoist the flag of the said Yoruba Nation.
The agitators caused panic and confusion with people around the vicinity running shelter, scampering for their safety.
Armed with dangerous weapons, including sophisticated guns, cutlasses and charms, they engaged men and officers of the state Police Command in a shootout.
29 persons were eventually overpowered and arrested by a combine force of some security agencies, including the police, the Army and Amotekun.
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