A traditional ruler in Saki, Oyo state, the baale of Ilua Kilani Azeez has been remanded along with five others for assaulting a lawyer, Waheed Lawal over issues surrounding mining in the community.

The six persons were arraigned and charged with felony and assault at a Magistrate Court in Saki on Thursday.

Lawal was said to have been beaten by the accused on November 13 in the community.

The Nation learnt that the assault was connected with certain legal advice given by the lawyer over mining activities in the community.

The charge sheet read: “That you RASHEED RAHEEM M’, SAMAD SAKARIYAU ‘M’, ALIU ASIMIYU ‘M, KILANI AZEEZ AJANI ‘M’, YUSUF NAFIU ‘M’, SULEIMAN JIMOH ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 13^th day of November, 2023, between the hours of 8:00pm and 11:00pm, at Iware junction, Ilua, Saki in the Saki Magisterial district did Conspire with one another to commit felony to wit: Assault Occasioning Harm and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

“COUNT II: That you RASHEED RAHEEM ‘M, SAMAD SAKARIYAU ‘M’, ALIU ASIMIYU ‘M’, KILANI AZEEZ AJANI M’, YUSUF NAFIU M, SULEIMAN JIMOH ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district did unlawfully assault one Waheed Lawal Esq. by beating him with your fist all over his body and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 252 and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.”

They all pleaded ‘Not guilty’ to the charges when arraigned.

Counsel to the accused, Babakebe, applied for bail which the magistrate granted.

She admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety each who must be a responsible community leader with evidence of identification.

They were released on Friday after meeting the bail conditions.

Lawal was represented by a team of 12 lawyers led by Mr S. A. Abdul Lateef.

The magistrate Mrs Aderounmu adjourned the case to January 18, 2024. (The Nation)

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