By Nofisat Marindoti
The Osun State Police command has arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, the State capital, 16 men who falsely posed themselves as observers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, during the just concluded governorship election.
The accused persons included Yakubu Moshood, 48, Olaoye Admonition, 45, Oyelayo Dayo, 49, Lawal Adebayo, 34, Akinwunmi Tunji, 28, Yisa Sodiq, 27, Segundo Daramola, 37 and Kayode Dada, 31.
Others included Oladipo Samson, 35, Adeolu Bamijoko, 25, Olumide Ayasola, 25, Gbenga Olapade, 35, Raheem Taofeek, 38, Igbeta Stephen, 34, Anishogun Charles, 23 and Habeeb Bashir, 22.
The accused persons were arraigned on a 6 count charge bordering on impersonation of INEC observers, unlawful conduct likely to cause breach of peace, disorderly manner at Guber election, unlawful manner as to cause persons in the neighborhood fear and disturb peace of society.
Prosecutor Felix Okafor told the court that the accused persons committed the offences at Ifon-Osun on the 27th of September, 2018.
Okafor said the offences contravened sections 70, 249 (d), 430(1), 484 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
The Prosecutor added that the offences also contravened section 128 of the Electoral Act, 2000.
However when their charge was read to them, the accused persons pleaded not guilty and their counsel, Barrister Olusegun Olatoye prayed the court for their bail in the most liberal terms.
In his ruling, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara granted the accused persons bail of N1m each with one surety in the like sum.
Ayilara added that the sureties must reside within the court area, be well known in the society, present three passport photographs and has at least one year tax clearance.
He thereby adjourned the case till November 21, 2018 for mention.
Meanwhile, the police also arraigned a 65-year-old man, Amusat Muniru and Muranu Olalekan aged 61 for unlawfully making agreement to offer money in order to induce presiding officers, clerks of polling units and security at the polling unit.
Prosecutor Oladoye Joshua added that on the 21st of September, 2018 at Iwo, the accused persons also unlawfully had in their possession INEC materials and did conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.
Joshua stated that the offences contravened sections 249 (d), 430(1), and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002, section 124(5) of Evidence Act and section 124 (4) of the Electoral Act, 2010.
However when their charge was read to them, the accused persons pleaded not guilty and their counsel, Barrister Olusegun Olatoye prayed the court for their bail in the most liberal terms.
In his ruling, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara granted the accused persons bail of N1m each with one surety in the like sum and adjourned the case till be mentioned at Iwo Magistrate Court on November 19, 2018.