An Ilorin Magistrate court on Wednesday ordered that five accused persons brought before it in connection with the January 13, 2019 attack on the Agbaji, Ilorin family residence of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki be remanded in the Federal prison custody, Ilorin.
The five accused persons according to the Police First Information Report (FIR) are Omotosho Alawo, Ibrahim Shittu, Usman Ayilara Gobir, Ahmed Shina and Olashehu Ndarabi.
They were alleged to have been involved in the political mayhem when they unleashed terror on Agbaji and Ode Alfa Nda communities, Ilorin during an electioneering campaign in the metropolis.
According to the FIR, the suspects engaged themselves in a free-for-all during which at least four persons: Yusuf Babatunde, Ibrahim Taofeeq, Adisa Muritala, Hussein Hassan sustained serious injuries.
The fracas, the Police FIR alleged also led to the destruction of several vehicles parked within the areas by innocent citizens while buildings were also damaged.
It added that concerted efforts of the operatives of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigating Department, Police headquarters, Ilorin led to the arrest of the accused persons.
The FIR stated that the accused persons had confessed to having actively participated in the fracas with others who are presently at large.
The report also said that one of the telephone sets allegedly stolen at the scene of the mayhem was recovered from one of the accused persons, Omotoso Alawo.
The accused persons were dragged before the court over alleged criminal conspiracy, mischief, theft, an attempt to commit an offence to with culpable homicide contrary to sections 97,327,288,299 of the Penal code.
They all pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
The prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, urged the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody pending the conclusion of police investigation on the matter.
The counsel of the accused persons, Mr Ayodeji Saka prayed the court to discountenance the submission of the prosecutor, arguing that the accused were still presumed innocent until contrarily proven. He said that remanding his clients is tantamount to pre-trial conviction.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mariam Dasuki ordered that the all the accused persons should be remanded in the custody of the Federal prison and adjourn the case till February 12, 2019 for hearing.
