Court clears PDP members of murder charge

07.03.2008

Eight members of the Ayedaade Local Government Area, Osun State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ordered to be remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo chief magistrate’s court over alleged attempted murder in January, 2008 have been set free and the case against them dismissed.

The accused persons; Taofeek Adegunju, Ajibola Asimiyu, Rafiu Lukman, Olanrewaju Abiodun, Oladokun Matthew, Oyeyemi Sikiru, Muftau Akeeb and Ajibade Isaac were charged with attempt to kill messrs Adebiyi Adewale, Olanrewaju Mustapha, Ibrahim Idris and Ilori Olusakin by inflicting injuries on them at about 11. a.m. at Okero Village ear, Gbongan on January 3, 2008.

While dismissing the charge the magistrate, Mr. Oyejide Falola, said the case had developed political colouration which could only be determined by leaders of the political party (PDP) which the accused and the plaintiff’s witnesses belonged.

Apart from the fact that witnesses were not in court to argue their case, the magistrate said in his ruling that “the other issue is that this case has developed colouration and court do not determined political question. That is a question to be determined by the leaders of the political party which the complainants and the accused belong.”

Earlier, the Police prosecutor, Sergeant John Idoko, had confirmed in the court that the victims were members of the PDP in Orile-Owu community of Osun State, adding that the crisis was a fallout of an internal wrangling within the political party.