Court Remands Students Who Attack Osun Radio Station Over WAEC Fee Payment

By Rafiu Agboola

Seven secondary school students arrested for allegedly unleashing terror on the workers of Orisun FM Radio station, Ile-Ife, Osun State  have been remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate Court.

The arrested students are; Ayodele Michael (18), Adeleke Sodiq (18), Adisa Sefiu (16), Adebisi Jamiu (16), Olatunji Segun (16), Ayoh Festus (16) and Chioma Anuoluwapo (16).

The seven accused persons who were said to have bombarded the station and vandalized its properties claimed to be protesting the inability of the state government to pay their West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) fee.

Presiding Magistrate, Olusola Aluko during the arraignment on Tuesday ordered the accused persons to be remanded in prison pending a formal bail application by their Counsel.

Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Elisha Olusegun, told the court that the accused persons and others who are currently at large committed the offence on Feb. 4, 2016 between hours of 8:30am and 12:00pm at Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Olusegun added that the suspects conspired and unlawfully destroyed Oduduwa College sliding widow library, hall building roof and gate which value are yet to be known before heading to Orisun Radio station where properties worthy millions of naira were also vandalized.

He further alleged that the accused willfully and unlawfully destroyed a Toyota Camry car with registration number OS 46 A42, Nisaan Premira Wagon car with registration OS 38 A42, Toyotal Hiace Bus with registration number OS 45 A42 belonging to Orisun FM.

Other properties allegedly destroyed by the suspects according to the Prosecutor, were Nissan Primera car with registration number LND 777 DC, property of one Mrs Joke Eluyemi, and back screen of one Toyota Avalon Saloon car with registration number LSD 400 DK belonging to Federal Road Safety Commission.

Olusegun further explained that the accused broke the windscreen of Folks Wagon Audi Saloon car with registration number AE 395 FFE belonging to Mr Segun Faturoti and back screen with realm cover of one Honda Bullet Saloon car with registration A2 568 BDJ property of Mr Hammed Badmus.

The offense according to the charge sheet contravened the provision of sections 516 and 415 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.

But the accused pleaded not guilty to eight-count charge of conspiracy, felony and unlawful damages of properties slammed against them.

Magistrate Aluko did not allow oral application of their counsel, Mr Dauda Oyewole as he ordered the counsel to file a formal bail application.

Aluko thereby ordered that the first and second accused be remanded in custody at Ilesa prison while third to seventh accused be remanded at corrective centre, Osogbo.

He, thereafter, adjourned the case till March 1, 2016 for mention