17 ABUAD students remanded for ‘robbery, arson’

An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s  Court yesterday ordered 17 students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), who are on trial for their alleged involvement in Sunday’s violence, remanded in prison custody for alleged arson and attempted robbery. The accused – 16 men and one woman- were remanded in police custody on Tuesday when they were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on rioting, illegal possession of firearms and malicious damage to school property. But their hope of returning to the campus to conclude their

exams was dashed when new charges were added to the charge sheet.

Police Prosecutor Samuel Osobu told the court that the accused on February 7 unlawfully committed arson by setting on fire houses belonging to ABUAD security staff.

Osobu also told the court that the accused burgled the boutique belonging to the wife of ABUAD Founder, Mrs. Modupe Babalola, located inside the Talent Discovery Centre on the campus.
The prosecutor also told the court that the accused also attempted to rob a branch of WEMA Bank on the campus.
The offences, according to him, violated Section 443 (a), 411 (2) and 403 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2016.
Osobu disclosed that he had had forwarded the case to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

At yesterday’s proceedings, the pleas of the accused were not taken as their lawyers, Peter Ogunkinle and Chris Omokhafe and eight others, sought an adjournment, pending the advice from the DPP’s office.
Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody, pending the receipt of advice from the DPP.

He adjourned the matter till Friday for further hearing.