The planned arraignment of Jamiu Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde, two aides of Yoruba nationalist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, could not hold on Monday before Justice Obiorah Egwuatu of a Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of an interpreter.
They are being prosecuted by the Department of State Service, an agency of the Federal Government on a five-count charge bothering on terrorism.
The charge dated August 31 was filed at a Federal High Court, Abuja, by S.M Bello, counsel for the claimant.
By the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/305/2021, the Federal Government claimed that the defendants were involved in acts of terrorism and possession of prohibited firearms.
Count one of the charge reads, “That you, Jamiu Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde, with others still at large, on or about July 1 2021, at the residence of one Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo state within the jurisdiction of this Court did conspire to commit acts of terrorism, to wit: possession of prohibited firearms, contrary to Section 17 of Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.
Count two: “That you, Jamiu Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde, wth others still at large, on or about July 1 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo state, within the jurisdiction of this Court did have in your possession, without lawful authority, the under listed prohibited fire arms: five (5) AK 47 rifles with serial numbers 04956, 213740, 8673, 945999, and 6139 respectively; two (2) AK 47 rifles which serial numbers could not be identified; two (2) pump action rifles with serial numbers 8836 and 9398 respectively; One (1) pump action which serial number could not be identified; and One (1) stun gun.
The government stated that the offence was contrary to Section 1(3)(c)(v) of the Terrorism Prevention Act CAP 10, 2011 and punishable under Section 1(2) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) act 2013.
Count three: “That you, Jamiu Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde, with others still at large, on or about July 1 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo state within the jurisdiction of this Court did have in your possession, without lawful authority one thousand, two hundred and ninety-five (1,295) live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two hundred and twenty-one (221) live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition contrary to Section 1(3)(c)(v) of the Terrorism Prevention Act CAP 10, 2011 and punishable under Section 1(2) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) act 2013.
Count Four; “That you, Jamiu Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde, with others still at large, on or about July 1 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo state within the jurisdiction of this Court did involve yourselves in activities in preparation to commit acts of terrorism contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.
Count five stated that Jamiu Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde did use their Facebook account as a platform to promote terrorist activities contrary to Section 18(1 & 2) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention) Act, 2015.
When the matter came up on Monday, Pelumi Olajengbensi, counsel to the defendants informed the Court that her clients do not understand English and that they needed an interpreter.
Efforts by the Court to get an interpreter was futile, a situation that made the Judge adjourn the case to January 24, 2022, for arraignment.
Copyright PUNCH.
