Court Reserves Ruling On Emir’s Bail Application, As Thugs Threaten Journalists

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo on Tuesday reserved ruling on the bail application of an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oyeyemi Olalekan, popularly called Emir.

Emir was re-arraigned last Wednesday on a 10-count charge of terrorism and murder.

Emir, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun was alleged to have killed some All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the state.

He has been remanded in the Ile-Ife Custodial facility since he was first arraigned on February 1, 2024.

At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, the defence counsel, Edmund Biriomoni, Esq, told the court that a bail application dated February 1st but filed on 7th February 2024 had earlier been filed.

He told the court that a second bailed application was filed and dated 13 March 2024.

The counsel sought for the withdrawal of the earlier application dated 7 February which was not objected to by the Prosecution.

Biriomoni thereafter, moved for the application for the bail of the defendant noting that the application was duly served on the complainant respondent.

He sought an order of the court admitting the defendant applicant to bail pending the hearing and determination of the amended charge.

He urged the court to grant the bail of the defendant.

However, Barrister Francis Osie, holding a brief for the prosecution, said the complainant’s respondent has reacted to the defendant’s bail application by filing an 18-paragraph counter affidavit dated 18 March 2024 and filed the same day.

He urged the court to find merit in their counter affidavit and refuse the defendant applicant bail.

When asked when Oyeyemi was arrested and why the prosecution said in their application that they were still trying to recover the arms since 2023, Osie said Emir was arrested in September 2023, adding that he was only holding a brief and using his experience in court.

The judge also asked if Emir had been convicted before, as the prosecution application indicated that if the defendant is granted bail, he is likely to instill fear in those who want to testify against him, Osie said there is no evidence Emir has been convicted.

Justice Emmanuel Ayoola of the court, after listening to both parties, reserved ruling on the bail application.

He said the date would be communicated to the counsels.

Meanwhile, journalists present during the court proceedings, which included a reporter with Osun Defender, were threatened by some thugs believed to be loyalists of Emir.

The thugs said they would deal with the journalists for jotting down during the court proceedings.

It took the intervention of the State Police Command to rescue the journalists from the court premises.