Chief Magistrate Oladele Adisa of the Oyo state Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan remanded 17 people in prison over allegations of masterminding the mayhem that recently erupted in Idi Arere and Molete areas of Ibadan.

The 17 people who were arrested by the police for allegedly participating in the burning and vandalism of some shops and houses along Idi-Arere and Molete road of Ibadan on January 3, 2019, were docked on a three-count charge of conspiracy, arson and stealing in a charge delineated MI/91c/2009, though their pleas were not taken.

The remanded defendants were made up of two women, four minors and 11 others and were identified as 38 years old Adesola Bukola, 37 years old Ayobami Osuolale, 21-year-old Olayode Lateef, 21-year-old Farouk Adedolapo, 16-year-old Samson Ayomide, 20-year-old Dada Kayode, 25-year-old Taye Popoola and 20-year-old Kudus Ibrahim.

Others included 19-year-old Olatunji Samuel, 14-year-old Adewale Malik, 25-year-old Sakura Adegoke, 24-year-old Toheeb Abiodun, 25-year-old Sunmonu Kudus, 24-year-old Azeez Salau, 15-year-old Akande Saheed, 19-year-old Ojekunle Lekan and 19-year-old Sadiq Tirimisiyu.

The prosecutor, Mrs Bola Oloko had alleged before the court that the defendants and others now at large conspired among themselves to commit arson and stealing by unlawfully setting fire to houses and shops valued at 40 million Naira (N40, 000, 000. 00).

According to her, they also stole many things including Plasma television sets, tailoring materials, phones and other properties belonging to some people identified as Tajudeen Ajiboye, Ibrahim Olasupo, Muritala Ibrahim, Mariam Jeje and Zainab Babayanju valued at 25 million naira (N25, 000, 000. 00)

The prosecutor said the offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 516, 443 and 383 and Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

Chief Magistrate Adisa in his ruling ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody and ordered that the four juveniles among them should be re-arraigned before the juvenile court and remanded in the remand home.

He adjourned the case till March 8, 2019, for legal advice from Director of public prosecution (DPP). (Tribune)