There was pandemonium at an Oyo High Court, Oyo town on Tuesday when a young man was arrested with a fetish object.
It was during the arraignment of former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kamil Akinlabi.
People ran helter skelter to avoid being touched by the juju-carrying man who was later whisked away by security agents.
As early as 6:30am, the court premises were filled to the brim.
This is due to the tension the case had generated when Akinlabi was first arraigned.
Hundreds of residents, who were anxious to witness the trial,
besieged the court.
Akinlabi and two others are facing trial on a four-count
charge bordering on acts that are inimical to peace and
tranquility, conduct likely to cause violence, breakdown law and order, as well as seditious publication in a national newspaper, accusing the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, of killings and bombings.
Due to the congestion of court, one of the officials ordered everybody out for a thorough search.
Anti-riot policemen immediately moved in to enforce the order and it was when people were being searched that the fetish object was discovered.
People ran away from the scene. When asked by security agents what he was doing in the court with the object, the young man didn’t answer.
He was later whisked away.
Also, some policemen were arrested on the orders of a superior police officers.
It is believed they were on illegal duty in the court.
They were taken to Durbar Police Station for questioning.
During the trial, counsel to the accused persons, Abiodun Abduraheem, argued for bail because the offences allegedly committed were bailable.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Mrs Olufunke Fawole, who is also
the Officer-in-charge of the Legal Department, Oyo State Police Command, opposed the bail application, arguing that conducts and actions of the accused persons since commencement of the trial are detrimental to peace and stability of the ancient town, and capable of interfering in the course of justice.
Justice A. Taiwo overruled her and granted the bail with some conditions.
Each of the accused persons must pay N200,000 with two sureties who must be senior civil servants with landed properties in Oyo town.
The properties must also have Certificates of Occupancy.
He adjourned the matter to September 9.