Adejumo Lateef, one of those agitating for separate statehood for Yoruba Nation, has died in custody, while 27 others were arraigned at Court 3 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service informed the court of Lateef’s death when the suspects were brought for arraignment.
The deceased was the 18th defendant in a case between the Oyo State Government and the accused persons, who were operating under the aegis of Yoruba Nation agitators.
The suspects are on trial for invading the Government Secretariat at Agodi, Ibadan, on April 13, 2024, to declare the sovereign Republic of Yoruba Nation.
The case, with suit number I/51c/2024, was presided over by Justice K. B. Olawoyin.
The defendants on trial include Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo Joseph, Amos Ogundeji, Ayanwale Rofiat, Olalere Mathew, and Ismaila Peter, among others.
The suspects were charged with five counts, including conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason.
The case is being prosecuted by the State Government’s team, led by the Director of Public Prosecution, S. O. Adeoye. According to the charge sheet, the offence is contrary to and punishable under, Section 37 (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
When the case was brought before the court, the arraignment could not proceed because the majority of the defendants did not have legal representation.
Adebola Ogungbe represented the 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 12th defendants, while Toluwase Ogundeji represented the 15th defendant. However, two lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola and S. A. Sanmi, who were present in court, volunteered to represent all other unrepresented defendants.
The 6th, 23rd, and 24th defendants informed the court that they would contact their families to engage lawyers to represent them.
In his ruling, Justice Olawoyin adjourned the case to 6th, 8th, and 13th November for arraignment and hearing.
