Two suspects Afolabi Oyediran and Oluwafemi Sunday alleged to have been
involved in assassination plot of Hon. Deji Adesokan on 20th December,
2013 were today arraigned before Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.
involved in assassination plot of Hon. Deji Adesokan on 20th December,
2013 were today arraigned before Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.
The case was presented before Chief Magistrate Simon Ojo between
Commissioner of Police and the two suspects over a conspiracy and
assassination attempt on Adedeji Adesokan, Senior Special Assistant to
the Ekiti State Governor on Security, and thereby committed an offence
punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, laws of
Ekiti State 2012.
The Prosecutor while reading the charge said Afolabi and Sunday, on
the same date, placed and within the magisterial district, did
unlawfully have in their possession, one Military Barretta Pistol
loaded with eight rounds of ammunitions and thereby committed an
offence punishable under Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearm
(Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the federation of Nigeria
20014, adding that any person who conspires with anyone to kill anyone unlawfully is
prone and guilty of felony and the charge is 14years.
The suspects pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor Corporal Bankole
Olasunkanmi, appealed for further detention of the suspect for further
investigation.
Defense Counsel in his argument conceded to the adjournment plead.
Commissioner of Police and the two suspects over a conspiracy and
assassination attempt on Adedeji Adesokan, Senior Special Assistant to
the Ekiti State Governor on Security, and thereby committed an offence
punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, laws of
Ekiti State 2012.
The Prosecutor while reading the charge said Afolabi and Sunday, on
the same date, placed and within the magisterial district, did
unlawfully have in their possession, one Military Barretta Pistol
loaded with eight rounds of ammunitions and thereby committed an
offence punishable under Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearm
(Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the federation of Nigeria
20014, adding that any person who conspires with anyone to kill anyone unlawfully is
prone and guilty of felony and the charge is 14years.
The suspects pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor Corporal Bankole
Olasunkanmi, appealed for further detention of the suspect for further
investigation.
Defense Counsel in his argument conceded to the adjournment plead.
He cited section 113 of the procedure act and asked the court to graciously
consider bail for the two suspects. He urged the court to grant their
liberty until they are convicted while he vowed that his client will
be present in court for further proceeding.
consider bail for the two suspects. He urged the court to grant their
liberty until they are convicted while he vowed that his client will
be present in court for further proceeding.
“As at today my lord, they have not been convicted before."
To buttress his point, he cited the case of Asari Dokubo vs Federal Government of 2007 in which the Supreme Court said the essence of bail is not to foreclose trial
but to prepare oneself. It is not the finality, he concluded.
but to prepare oneself. It is not the finality, he concluded.
In a swift reaction, the prosecuting officer said the bail issue is at
the discretion of the Court, not for defense counsel: "ours is to ensure
justice and uphold the interest of the complainant."
In his address, the Chief Magistrate, Simon Ojo said the offences are
serious ones: "The application for the bail of the accused is hereby refused; the case is
later adjourned till 20th January."
justice and uphold the interest of the complainant."
In his address, the Chief Magistrate, Simon Ojo said the offences are
serious ones: "The application for the bail of the accused is hereby refused; the case is
later adjourned till 20th January."
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