Ilorin Fracas: Controversies as 44 suspected hoodlums get bail

No fewer than 44 suspected hoodlums facing trial in connection with the recent fracas, which broke out in Agbarere and Idi-Ape Areas of Ilorin, Kwara State, have been granted bail, National Pilot has gathered.

This medium had reported that over 88 suspects were remanded by various Magistrates for offences ranging from Criminal Conspiracy, Disturbance of Public Peace, Causing Grievous Hurt to Mischief.

16 suspects were first arraigned before Chief Magistrate, Nurudeen Adeyanju; 37 suspects were later docked in Magistrate Mohammed Ibrahim’s court; 15 before Magistrate Mohammed Ndakene; while 20 others were docked before Magistrate I. O Olawoyin.

The first 16 suspects, who were remanded at Federal Prison Mandalla, it was learnt, were later granted bail on the second arraignment while their trial continues.

The suspects are; Abubakar Mohammed, Ahmed Suleiman, Tunde Abdulrahman, Mohammed Mukaila, Bolaji Garba, Dele Omoniyi, Aliyu Kayode, Hassan Abdulrahman, Alfa Jamiu Olodolo, Aduragba Adamu, Saliman Taiye, Alfa Yusuf Musa, Yusuf Folorunsho, Usman Yusuf, Ayinde Olayinka and Soliu Muritala.

The matter, which was earlier adjourned till Tuesday, could not however, hold based on the prison visit embarked upon by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Sulyman Kawu, alongside other top judicial officers.

Also, 15 suspects standing trial before Magistrate Ndakene were granted bail last Thursday with two reliable sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, had however, adjourned the matter till June 4.

It was further learnt yesterday that other 13 accused persons were granted bail based on written bail applications filed by their counsels before Magistrate Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, controversies have continued to trail their purported release by concerned authorises.

A protest was staged in Ilorin on Monday by some of the affected victims of the attack, who alleged that some of the arrested suspects in connection to the fracas had been released; the development, they claimed posed danger to their lives.

They accused the state government and the police of indiscriminate release of the suspected hoodlums but the state Police Command, through its Spokesperson, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi, denied the culpability in the development.

Okasanmi, who spoke in a telephone interview with this medium, said his command did not release any suspect, rather, he disclosed, that they were released by the court.

But a top government source, who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, denied that the state government ordered their release.

According to him, the state government was not disposed to their release and argued that people with the identity of the key suspects what were allegedly released by the police should prove it.

‘’We have an agreement that all those involved in the recent fracas within Ilorin metropolis should be kept behind the bar and that they should not be released on bail until the court of competent jurisdiction pronounces them innocent.

‘‘So, I will disagree with those who are saying that they were indiscriminately released and I challenge them to come forward with their evidence(s). The state government should not be blamed for this development.

‘’ however, it should be noted that judges have their discretions to grant bail to all the suspects arraigned before them; if they (judges) are satisfied and convinced that they have merited it. Under the law, they are entitled to bail, because there is offence that is not bailable; except capital offences’’, he argued.

He continued: ‘’These people are granted bail by the court and they were not set free as being alleged. Their cases are still before the court and it will be pursued to a logical conclusion’’.

Addressing the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on Monday during their protest to this palace, Abdulraheem Shuiab and Tajudeen Are, who spoke for the protesters, called on the concerned authorises to intensify effort at arresting some of the alleged masterminds of the attack.

Also, the duo alleged that some of the released hoodlums had threatened to attack them for allegedly revealing their identities to the security agents, which led to their arrest.

A resident of Agbarere, who identified himself as Musa, however, warned against the alleged indiscriminate release of some of the suspects, adding that if it continues, they might be forced to embark on jungle-justice.