The Magistrate Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan on Friday ordered a remand of nine associates of Mukaila Lamidi popularly known as Auxillary, the former Chairman of the Park Management System (PMS) in Oyo state in prison.
They were charged on conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The accused individuals are: Olaniyi Abiodun, Kamoru Yusuf, Odunayo Ismaika, Kolawole Joshua, Oladosun Kunle, Fatai Abidemi, Oluwoke Akanbi, Sarafadeen Adewale, and Tirimisiyu Odunayo.
The suspects were arraigned on a 16-count charge and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
They were accused of attacking, maiming, and dispossessing people of their valuables worth millions of naira in Ibadan.
The charge sheets read in part:
“That you, ( suspects) and others now at large on 29th May 2023 at about 14:00 pm at Governor Seyi Makinde”s residence, Ikolaba area, Ibadan in the Magistrate Court District did conspire together to commit felony to wit armed robbery and, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 6 (B) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R 11 Vol 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”
The defence counsel argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case due to the nature of the charges, which range from attempted murder to armed robbery. The counsel prayed the court to remand the suspects at Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan, pending the time that the case would be assigned to a competent court of law for hearing.
In his ruling, Magistrate S.H. Adebisi said, the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case noting that the charges range from conspiracy, armed robbery to attempted murder, which is a capital offence. He ordered them to be remanded in prison and subsequently adjourned the case till 26th July 2023.