Ten members of the Carpenters and Furniture Makers Progressive Union (CFMPU) in Ondo State have been arraigned before the Magistrate Court, sitting in Akure on allegations bothering on stealing, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace in the state.
The defendants, Sunday Ajayi, Oladapo Rufus, Kolawole Muraina, Olusola Felix, Idowu Owadayo, Kolawole Joseph, Olaniyi Ayeni, Aladesanmi Gbenga, Adu Oluwagbemiga and Sunday Oluwasola were said to have committed the offence on the 29th February, 2024 at about 12:35pm at their union’s Secretariat, located at Arakale Street, Akure.
One of the charges reads; “that you Sunday Ajayi, Oladapo Rufus, Kolawole Muraina, Olusola Felix, Idowu Owadayo, Kolawole Joseph, Olaniyi Ayeni, Aladesanmi Gbenga, Adu Oluwagbemiga, Sunday Oluwasola, on the 29th day of February, 2024 at about 1235pm at carpenters and Furniture Makers Progressive Union secretariat, Arakale Street Akure in the Magisterial District of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code ap. 37 Vol. I Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The defendants, who were charged with four counts charge of conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts leveled against them.
The Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Wada Simon, however, prayed the court to adjourn the case for him to assemble all his witnesses as regards the case.
Counsel to the defendants, D.S Akinbo, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants, saying all the alleged offences leveled against them are bailable under the law.
According to Akinbo, “fundamentally, the defendants are still presumed innocent, they have never been arraigned before any court.
“We apply that the court to admit the defendants on bail in the most liberal term. Court should please to exercise it power in favour of these defendants.
“The defendants have no criminal records, all the defendants are members of the same union, and the complainant is only using his position to create problem for the union and to intimidate the defendants in question.”
The Presiding Magistrate, A. Kolawole, granted bail the defendants at N500, 000 with one surety each who has landed property, resident within the court jurisdiction, who shall also provide means through sworn affidavit verified by the court.
The Court adjourned the case till May 2nd 2024 for hearing.
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