By Kayode Adeoti
No fewer than five persons said to be members of opposing parties in the state, were yesterday remanded in prison custody over political violence which left scores injured and cars and property worth millions destroyed at Agbaji and Ode Alfa Nda and neighbouring communities in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, last month.
The suspected political thugs, according to the Police First Information Report (FIR) are: Omotosho Alawo, Ibrahim Shittu, Usman Ayilara Gobir, Ahmed Shina and Olashehu Ndarabi.
They were said to have carried out the dastard act during an electioneering campaign in the metropolis.
During the incident, the Police report stated that the suspects engaged themselves in a free for all fight, action which resulted into serious injuries of, Yusuf Babatunde, Ibrahim Taofeeq, Adisa Muritala, Hussein Hassan of various addresses in the state capital.
The fracas also led to the destruction of several vehicles parked within the areas by innocent citizens while buildings were also damaged.
Property were also allegedly stolen by the suspected political thugs, the FIR revealed.
During investigation into the case, concerted efforts of the Operatives of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigating Department (CIID), Police headquarters, Ilorin led to the arrest of the suspects.
The FIR added that the suspects confessed to have actively participated in the fracas with others who are presently at large.
One of the stolen phones was said to have been recovered from one of the suspects, Alawo. Meanwhile, effort is in top gear to arrest other perpetrators of the act.
The suspects were dragged before Magistrate Mariam Dasuki for Criminal conspiracy, mischief, theft, an attempt to commit an offence to with culpable homicide contrary to sections 97,327,288,299 of penal code.
The prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, while addressing the court urged that the suspects should be remanded in prison custody.
According to him, the suspects should be kept in custody pending the determination of their police investigation on the matter.
On his part, the accused person’s counsel, Barr. Ayodeji Saka prayed the court to discountenance the submission of the prosecutor.
In his words, the accused persons are still presumed innocent until contrarily proven saying remanding his client is tantamount to pre-trial.
Magistrate Dasuki in his ruling, remanded the accused while the case was adjourned to 12th February, 2019.
