An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of 12 individuals at the Agodi Correctional Centre over alleged treasonable felony and related offences.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the defendants face charges in connection with a social media video threatening Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State over a land matter.
The accused include Abdullahi Alajiga (38), Olaniyi Dauda (71), Alfa Olafisoye (69), Daudu Babalola (52), Akande Musbau (58), Olatinwo Wale (42), Saheed Tijani (41), Sunday Awosope (38), Idris Olujimi (32), Ayobami Idowu (37), Olajire Sodiq (24), and Adeniyi Alimi (51).
The defendants are charged with eight counts, including treasonable felony, threats to murder, publication of defamatory content, incitement to violence, dissemination of false news, unlawful assembly, causing fear, and conduct likely to breach public peace.
The charges stem from an alleged video posted by the defendants in which they threatened to forcibly remove Governor Makinde from office.
Prosecutor Inspector Sikiru Opaleye claimed the defendants, in collaboration with others at large, committed the offences on December 5, 2023, at Olubadan Estate, Egbeda, Ibadan.
They allegedly made verbal threats to kill Governor Makinde and published false information on social media, falsely accusing the governor of illegally seizing their lands and ejecting them from their workshops.
The prosecution also alleges that the video was intended to incite public fear and alarm, and that the defendants’ actions were likely to disturb public peace.
The defendants were not arraigned on Thursday, and Chief Magistrate Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi ordered their remand at the Agodi Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The case was adjourned until January 22, 2025, for mention.
The offenses according to the court, contravene various sections of the Criminal Code Law of Oyo State, 2000, including Sections 41(b), 59, 70, 86(1), 249(d), 323, 375, and 516.
