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Adejumo Lateef, a member of the Yoruba Nation agitators, has died while in custody, with 27 others arraigned at the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Officials from the Nigerian Correctional Service informed the court of Lateef’s death during the arraignment.
Lateef, who was the 18th defendant, and his co-defendants are accused of invading the Oyo State Government Secretariat at Agodi, Ibadan, on April 13, 2024, to declare the sovereign Republic of Yoruba Nation. The case, with suit number I/51c/2024, is being heard by Justice K. B. Olawoyin.
The defendants face multiple charges, including conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason, which are punishable under Section 37 (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The prosecution is led by the Director of Public Prosecution, S. O. Adeoye. However, the arraignment could not proceed as many defendants lacked legal representation.
While some defendants were represented by Adebola Ogungbe and Toluwase Ogundeji, two additional lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola and S. A. Sanmi, volunteered to represent those unrepresented.
Several defendants indicated they would contact their families to arrange legal representation.
Justice Olawoyin adjourned the case for further arraignment and hearing to November 6, 8, and 13, 2024.
