* Abubakar-Malami
Story By Gbenga Ogunbufunmi
The scheduled arraignment of the leader of Aswani International Market, Chief Taoreed Farounbi, popularly called Baba Alado, and six other persons, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged terrorist acts, could not go on today, due to the inability of the prosecution to serve the charge sheet on Baba Alado and five others.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) dragged Chief Taoreed Farounbi, alongside Alhaji Olusegun Akeem Akinde (A.K.A. Echo), Mr. Ayokunle Fakiyesi, Mr. Idowu Akinde, Musilu Oladejo, Mr. Lekan Matthew and Mr. Adeleke Akinjeji, before the court presided over by Justice Sule Hassan on a three count-charge of conspiracy to wit terrorism.
The Attorney General in charge number FHC/L/279c/2020, alleged that Baba Alado and others, on March 19, 2020, conspired among themselves and participated in a terrorism acts, which led to the killing of two men, Debo Olohunyo and Chibuzor Daniel, at the White Sand area of Isheri-Osun, Lagos State.
They were also accused of causing an attacks which led to destruction of many properties in the area.
The offences according to the AGF are contrary to Section 1(2) (a) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 s amended by Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.
However, at the resumed arraignment of the accused today, only one of them, Lekan Lateef, was brought to court.
Narrating prosecution’s ordeal for not producing other defendants for arraignment, the prosecutor, A. K. Alilu, State Chief Counsel, told the court that Baba Alado and five other defendants could not be located, since they were granted administrative bail by the police.
He further told the court that the defendants, after being granted administrative bail have severally failed to honour police invitation for the purpose of serving them the charge sheet.
In the circumstance, the prosecutor asked the court for summons against the defendants to appear for their trial. While also applied to court to serve the charge sheets on the defendants through their counsel, who were in court.
He also asked the court for an order remanding the sixth defendant, Lekan Matthew, in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), till a date for the trial of the defendant.
Responding to the prosecutor’s request, counsel to the defendants, Mr. M.B Jimoh- Akogun, stated that on the last adjourned date, the ruling of the court was that the case is adjourned till 16th of December, 2020, and that the defendants are still of the notion that the date still remains sacrosant.
The counsel also said the defence team is ready to accept the charge sheets on behalf of their clients and would make the defendants available on the next adjourned date.
Delivering bench ruling on counsel’s submissions, Justice Muslim Hassan ordered that the charge sheet be served on the defendants’ lawyers while also ordered the sixth defendant, Lekan Matthew, who was in court to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
The matter was consequently adjourned till 28th of January 28, 2021, for the arraignment of the defendants.
The count against the defendants reads: That you, Alhaji Chief Taoreed Farounbi Alado, of 1 Farounbi Street, Isheri-Osun, Lagos, Alhaji Olusegun Akeem Akinde (A.K.A. Echo) 12, Ikotun Road isheri-Oshun, Lagos, Mr. Ayokunle Fakiyesi, of 15, Ayedun Street, Isheri Osun Lagos, Mr. Idowu Akinde of 9 Ipodo Compound, Isheri Osun Lagos, Musilu Oladejo of 22 Amoo Street isheri Osun Lagos, Mr. Lekan Matthew of White Sand Area isheri Osun, Lagos, Mr. Adeleke Akinjeji of 46, Ahola Street, Isheri-Oshun, Lagos State on or about the 19th of March, 2020, while White Sand Area, Isheri-Osun Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did commit acts of Terrorism in that you participated in attacks that led to the death of Debo Olohunyo and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(2) (a) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as Amended by Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013
Count two reads: That you, Alhaji Chief Alhaji Chief Taoreed Farounbi Alado, of 1 Farounbi Street, Isheri-Osun, Lagos, Alhaji Olusegun Akeem Akinde (A.K.A. Echo) 12, Ikotun Road isheri-Oshun, Lagos, Mr. Ayokunle Fakiyesi, of 15, Ayedun Street, Isheri Osun Lagos, Mr. Idowu Akinde of 9 Ipodo Compound, Isheri Osun Lagos, Musilu Oladejo of 22 Amoo Street isheri Osun Lagos, Mr. Lekan Matthew of White Sand Area isheri Osun, Lagos, Mr. Adeleke Akinjeji of 46, Ahola Street, Isheri-Oshun, Lagos State on or about the 19th of March, 2020, while White Sand Area, Isheri-Osun Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did commit acts of Terrorism in that you participated in attacks that led to the death of Chibuzor Daniel and you thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 1(2)(a) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, as amended by Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.
Count three : That you, Alhaji Chief Taoreed Farounbi Alado, of 1 Farounbi Street, Isheri-Osun, Lagos, Alhaji Olusegun Akeem Akinde (A.K.A. Echo) 12, Ikotun Road isheri-Oshun, Lagos, Mr. Ayokunle Fakiyesi, of 15, Ayedun Street, Isheri Osun Lagos, Mr. Idowu Akinde of 9 Ipodo Compound, Isheri Osun Lagos, Musilu Oladejo of 22 Amoo Street isheri Osun Lagos, Mr. Lekan Matthew of White Sand Area isheri Osun, Lagos, Mr. Adeleke Akinjeji of 46, Ahola Street, Isheri-Oshun, Lagos State on or about the 19th of March, 2020, while White Sand Area, Isheri-Osun, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did cause attacks which led to destruction of properties and you thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 1(2) (a) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 s amended by Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013
