By Hassan Ajia
For allegedly trespassing into the Emir of Ilorin’s palace, Ilorin and thereby extorting visitors, two persons, Opeyemi Mahmud, 27 and Sunday Adebayo, 21 both of Oloje Area, Ilorin have been remanded at the Federal Prison Yard, Oke-kura, Ilorin.
The order to remand the case was made by an Ilorin Magistrate Court before which they were arraigned on a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, trespass, assault, extortion and disturbance of public peace, which contravened Sections 97, 348, 265, 292 and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The accused were arrested following a compliant on August 13, at ‘C’ Division Police Station, Ilorin by one of the security men attached to the Emir’s Palace Ilorin, Jimoh Ahmed that the accused were constituting nuisance around the Emir’s palace, Ilorin.
The complainant stated that the accused criminally conspired and trespass into the Palace and forcefully disturbing the innocent citizens within the Palace by extorting them of their hard earn money.
The complainant stated further that when the accused were challenged by the security man, they criminally assaulted him.
Police First Information Report (FIR) stated that investigation conducted at Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Ilorin revealed that the accused indeed criminally conspired and committed the offences.
The prosecutor, Inspector Zaccheus Folorunsho told the court that investigation was ongoing and he sought for an adjournment to enable the police complete investigation. He however objected bail of the accused and urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending the outcome of investigation.
The defense counsel, I.T. Olojoku urged the court to admit the accused to bail pending the outcome of investigation. He submitted further that Section 36(5) of 1999 Constitution still presumed the accused innocent of the allegation until proved otherwise.
The presiding judge, Mr. A.I. Dasuki refused the plea of the defence, as he ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Prison Yard Oke-kura Ilorin.
The case adjourned till September 10 for further mention.
