A member of the Yoruba Nation agitators, Adejumo Lateef, has died while in custody, officials of the Nigeria Correctional Services revealed on Wednesday, October 16.
Lateef, the 18th defendant in an ongoing trial, was part of a group facing charges in connection with the April 13, 2024 invasion of the Oyo State government Secretariat.
The suspects, under the aegis of Yoruba Nation Agitators, are accused of attempting to declare the sovereign Republic of Yoruba Nation (Oodua Republic) during the incident. The case, filed under suit number I/51c/2024, is being heard at the Fiat Court 3 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, presided over by Justice K. B. Olawoyin.
The 27 defendants, including the late Adejumo Lateef, face charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason. Among those standing trial are Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo Joseph, Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, and Ayanwale Rofiat, along with others such as Fatoki Anthony, Murittala Abefe, and Ismaila Adepoju.
The charges stem from the events of April 13, 2024, and are punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
At Wednesday’s court session, the case could not proceed as planned due to the majority of the defendants lacking legal representation. Adebola Ogungbe represented the 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 12th defendants, while Toluwase Ogundeji stood in for the 15th defendant. Two additional lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola and S.A. Sanmi, volunteered to represent other unrepresented defendants.
However, the 6th, 23rd, and 24th defendants informed the court that they would contact their families to arrange legal representation. As a result, Justice Olawoyin adjourned the case to November 6, 8, and 13 for arraignment and further hearings.
The case is being prosecuted by a team from the Oyo State Government led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. S. O. Adeoye, along with Deputy DPP O. R. Yussuf, and other senior state counsels including S. A. Osuolale, Yisa Busari, and O. A. Bolarinwa.
The death of Adejumo Lateef in custody adds another layer of complexity to the already sensitive case involving the Yoruba Nation movement.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.