The suspected thugs that were arrested at the military checkpoint by the soldiers in Itawure, near Efon Alaaye, last week, had been handed over to the police.
Addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital, where the suspects were being paraded before charging them to court, the Police Public Relations Officer for the State, ASP Sunday Abutu, said items recovered from the suspects included guns, cartridges, knives, cutlasses and substances suspected to be charms.
According to Abutu, the suspects were coming from Oyo State to Ekiti State on the night before the PDP primary. “The soldiers suspected them and accosted them.
Immediately they were taken to the military base in Akure, Ondo State and were later handed over to Ekiti Police Command last Friday”. Said he.
Contrary to the social media reports which claimed that the suspects were over one hundred in number, the PPRO, confirmed that they were just ninety eight (98) in number.
“The exact number that was handed over to the police was 98.
They confessed to the fact that somebody organised them from Ibadan and that the person that invited them to Ekiti, is connected to the State”.
He promised that the police would go after the person and that the person’s name would be mentioned after investigation.
The paraded suspects were charged to court for unlawful possession of fire arms. The PPRO added.
Meanwhile, an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti has granted bail to ninety eight persons brought before it.
In his pronouncement, Chief Magistrate Titilayo Olaolorun granted bail to all the 98 defendants each in the sum of N100, 000, two sureties, one of them must be resident in Ekiti State with one means of identification, he concluded.
According to the charge, Taofeek Muraina (60) alongside 97 others was on 25th January, 2022 at Itawure, along Efon Alaaye Ekiti highway, in Efon Alaaye Ekiti Magisterial District did conspired to commit felony, to wit, did go armed in public without lawful occasion to cause terror, threatening violence, unlawful procession from Ibadan, Oyo State, heading to Ado Ekiti for the PDP primary election and did have in their possession, 2 pump action gun, 3 locally made pistol, 6 Dane guns,98 cartridges, 5 knives, cutlasses, charms among others.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade said the offences run contrary to Sections 80, 516 ,88 and 4 of Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.
Counsel to the defendants, Kola Kolade prayed the court to admit the defendants into bail as they are ready to produce substantial sureties.
The case has been adjourned to 23/2/2022 for mention.