Ekiti commissioner, 11 others to be arraigned

The Federal Government is scheduled to arraign today the Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Funminiyi Afuye, and 11 others before Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The government had already secured leave of the court to prosecute all of them.

In the charge lodged at the registry of the court by the police, Afuye and others are accused of engaging in terrorism.

They were arrested over the last violent clash by party supporters in Ekiti State, during which a man identified as Peter Akin was killed.

The charge filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/118/14 was signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Oloye Torugbene.

The government’s decision to arraign the 12 is coming shortly after Afuye sued the police in Ekiti State, alleging physical assault on him by Mobile Police Commander, Gabriel Selenkere.

Afuye, in the suit filed before the state High Court in Ado Ekiti, is seeking N1 billion in damages for physical assault on his person and unlawful detention.

The suit was brought pursuant to Order 11 Rules 123 and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement) Rules 2009 and sections 6, 34, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.

Charged with Afuye are Idowu Aladejebi (68 years), Afuye Jide (30), Anisulowo Kayode (46), Azeez Suleiman (19), Ajayi Idowu (18), Babadi Ajayi (35), Abiodun Omoniyi (68), Oyedapo Olaoluwa (29), Sunday Olalere (27), Dapo David (26) and Akinyemi Tayo (25).

They were, in count one, accused of conspiring with each other to commit an act of terrorism at Ijegbo Round About to wit: “Using dangerous weapons/devices at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, which resulted in destruction of properties and the death of one Peter Akin (M) and injured several other persons.”

In count two, they were accused of committing an act of terrorism “by using dangerous weapons at Ijigbo Round About and Oluyemi Kayode Stadium and shot one Peter Akin to death.”

They were, in count three, said to have “incited, promised and induced other persons to commit an act of terrorism, which resulted in the destruction of valuable properties, such as motor vehicles, motorcycles, etc.”

According to the charge, the 12 allegedly committed the said offences on June 8, 2014. The alleged offences are said to be punishable under sections 1(2)(d), 2(2)(h) and 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.