Nine persons arrested at Odogwu Bar in the Sango area of Ogun State, a facility belonging to popular Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, were arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting officers of the Ota Zonal Planning Office, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Those brought before the court were:
- Nurudeen Warris (21)
- Adetola Alashe (25)
- Samuel Adeleke (28)
- Oluwaseun Ayenuwa (19)
- Oluwapelumi Adeosun (20)
- Gospel Kanu (20)
- Precious Ohiegebo (19)
- Ifeoluwa Babatunde (27)
- Fatimo Muhammed (26)
They were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on felony, assault, restriction, being armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace with the intent to kill.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
During the arraignment, the police prosecutor, Sunday Ekong, informed the court that the defendants committed the offences on 5 February at about 10:00 a.m. at Oke-Osa in Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
Ekong stated that the defendants, alongside Portable, who is now at large, unlawfully assaulted, restricted, and obstructed three town planners—Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero—while they were performing their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar.
He further noted that the offences committed contravened Sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The magistrate, Mrs O. M. Somefun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million each, with sureties who must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State government.
She thereafter adjourned the case until 17 March for hearing.
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