One of the 29 arrested and charged Yoruba Nation agitators, Lateef Adejumo, has died while in custody, officials of the Nigeria Correctional Services in Oyo State revealed on Wednesday, October 16.
The charges brought against them stem from the events of April 13, 2024, and are punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.
Lateef Adejumo, the 18th defendant in an ongoing trial, was part of a group facing charges in connection with the April 13, 2024 invasion of the Oyo State government Secretariat.
The suspects, under the aegis of Yoruba Nation Agitators, are accused of attempting to declare the sovereign Republic of Yoruba Nation (Oodua Republic) during the incident. The case, filed under suit number I/51c/2024, is being heard at the Fiat Court 3 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, presided over by Justice K. B. Olawoyin.
The 29 defendants, including the late Adejumo Lateef, face charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason.
Among those standing trial are Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo Joseph, Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, and Ayanwale Rofiat, Fatoki Anthony, Murittala Abefe, Ismaila Adepoju, along with others.
At Wednesday’s court session, the case could not proceed as planned due to the majority of the defendants lacking legal representation. Adebola Ogungbe represented the 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 12th defendants, while Toluwase Ogundeji stood in for the 15th defendant. Two additional lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola and S.A. Sanmi, volunteered to represent other unrepresented defendants.