The Police in Osun on Thursday arraigned seven persons in an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court, for alleged arson and breach of public peace.
The defendants were also charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, malicious damage and theft.
The seven persons are: Abimbola Sarafadeen, 31; Abimbola Mutiu, 34; Onifade Sesan, 45; Abiodun Odewusi, 50; Abiodun Babalola, 39; Ajayi Babatunde, 45 and Mukaila Abimbola, 28.
The Police prosecutor, Insp. Elisha Olusegun, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Sept. 2, at about 12.00 p.m., along Ipetu-Ijesa area, Obokun, Osun.
Olusegun said the defendants conspired to destroy the property of one Afolabi Tijjani and Afolabi Sarafadeen.
He further said the defendants attempted to kill the duo by inflicting injuries on their bodies, before the intervention of the police.
“They destroyed property worth N25 million belonging to Tijjani, and also the property of Sarafadeen worth about N5 million.
“The defendants also used sticks and charms to assault the complainants, and inflicted severe injuries on them in an attempt to kill them.
“The conspirators also stole the sum of N380, 0000 belonging to one Rahinnat Afolabi during the raid,” he said.
The prosecution said the offence contravened sections 516, 443, 320, 451, 390 (9) and 373 (a) of the criminal code cap 34, vol. 11, laws of Osun, 2002.
The seven persons had pleaded not guilty to the offence of conspiracy, attempted murder, breach of public peace, malicious damage and assault.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defence counsel, J.O Akano, prayed the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.
The Magistrate, Adewara Adebayo, granted the defendants bail, each in the sum of N500, 000 and two sureties in like sum.
Adedayo said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, with evidence of tax payments and passport sized photographs attached, with an affidavit of means.
The case was adjourned to Jan. 24, 2022 for hearing.