Nigeria Content Online

The Oyo State
Police Command, on Tuesday, arraigned 25 persons before a Chief
Magistrate Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan , Oyo State, over their
alleged involvement in the violent crisis between two Islamic sects at
Sabo area of the state capital last Sunday.

The suspects, who
pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them, were each granted
bail in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties in like sum by the
magistrate, Sofiat Oyediran.

Cutting across the
two groups involved in the fracas – Izalat and Tijaniyah – the suspects
were alleged to be responsible for the infliction of injuries on
several victims and destruction of properties.

The police
prosecutor, A.O Ojeh, in the charge sheets read to the hearings of the
suspects, accused them of flouting the order of the court which
prohibited the two sects from using microphone and loud speakers to
preach inciting sermons and disturb public peace. The offence, he said,
contravenes the provision of the law and punishable under section 133
of the criminal code cap 38 laws of Oyo State.

The suspects were
also accused of acting against the provisions of section 451 of the
criminal code cap 38 law of the state by destroying valuables, which
included a jeep, valued at N1.3m; motorcycles, and many household items.

The 16th to the
25th accused persons, who are members of Izalat, were arraigned on
one-count charge of willfully disrespecting the ruling of the court in
Suit No: MISC/85/2010 by preaching inciting sermons among themselves
and disturbing the public peace, contrary to and punishable under
Section 133 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State
Nigeria 2000.

Fifteen others,
belonging to the Tijaniyah, were arraigned on a five-count charge. The
charge include preaching inciting sermon, willful and unlawful damage
of properties including a Land Rover Freelander Jeep, motorcycle,
roofing sheets, ceiling fans, and a generating set; as well as willful
and unlawful assault occasioned by bodily harm.

Leaders on trial

Messrs Waheed Olajide and Adebayo Shitu represented suspects from the Tijaniyah and Izalat groups respectively.

They both, in their
oral application, prayed the court to grant the suspects bail, arguing
that the offences preferred against them were bailable.

Mr Olajide told the
court that all the suspects were invited by the police as leaders of
their respective sects, adding that none was arrested at the scene of
the crisis. He said since they personally came to honour the police
invitation before they were detained, they would be ready to come back
to face trial and would not jeopardize investigation and the course of
justice.

Mr Shittu, in his application for bail for the suspects, urged the court to allow them bail in the most liberal terms.

While acceding to
their prayers and granting the bail, the chief magistrate ordered that
one of the sureties for the suspects must have landed property in the
state capital, while the other must present evidence of payment of tax
payment for three consecutive years and produce an identity card.

The case was then adjourned to September 16, 2010.