By Abiodun Esan
The Police in Kwara on Thursday docked leaders of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before an Ilorin Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged wrongful confinement, to extort property.
The Chairman of the faction, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, was brought along with four others before the Magistrate, Mrs Kuburat Yahaya.
The other accused persons were Alhaji Illiasu Ibrahim, Alhaji Atanda Soro, Mr. Jide Usman and Capt. Isiaka Alao (rtd).
Another accused person, Kunle Suleiman, was, however, absent in court.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Mathew Saye, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence contrary to Section 260 of the Penal Code on Oct. 31, 2016.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the factional leaders were arrested based on a report by one Sharafadeen Ibrahim, the State PDP Youth Leader, to the police.
The prosecutor said the PDP Chief Security Officer reported to the Police that Prince Fagbemi, a factional chairman of the party, led over 100 “miscreants and thugs into the party secretariat along Asa Dam Road, in Ilorin.
Saye said they forced themselves into some offices at the secretariat and caused damage to property in the offices.
He said the accused persons were also alleged to have carted away some property belonging to the party.
The prosecutor promised to bring Kunle Suleiman before the court at the next adjourned date.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against them.
Their lawyer, Joseph Ashaolu, prayed the court to grant them bail because they were reputable personalities who were law-abiding and responsible.
Insp. Saye did not object to their bail application, but urged the court to use its discretion.
The magistrate, in her ruling granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N100, 000 each and one surety each in like sum.
She then adjourned the matter to Dec. 14. 2016.
