An Osogbo Magistrate Court in Osun State presided over by Mrs. Falilat Sodamade, yesterday remanded two Nigeria Peace Corps volunteers and a student of Osogbo Technical College at Ilesa Prison custody over the riot erupted yesterday between Osogbo High School and Osogbo Technical College.

The three accused persons include Abiodun Olorunfemi (Student), Akinwande Olanike (Peace Corps volunteer) and Akande Olawale (Peace Corps volunteer).

The trio were arraigned on a six-count charge of conspiracy, intent to wit assault and harm, malicious damage, extortion and causing the breach of peace on some properties and persons in Osogbo Technical College.

The police prosecutor, Mr. Abiodun Fagboyinbo, told the court that Abiodun Olorunfemi, Akinwande Olanike and Akande Olawale and others still at large on February 22, 2017 at about 2:30pm at Technical School Osogbo in Osogbo Magisterial district conspired together to commit an offence to wit assault and harm.

He added that Abiodun Olorunfemi and others still at large also assaulted one Oladele Anthony Olawale and one Nurudeen Akanfe and others by beating them with sticks, broken bottles and other weapons to the extent that they sustained injury.

He said the offences committed by the trio are contrary to and punishable under section 516, 355, 451, 408, 249(d) and 355 of the Criminal Code Cap. 34 Volume II Laws of Osun State Nigeria, 2003.

The three accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.

The counsel to the NPC volunteers and the counsel to the last accused person, Mr. Olayinka Sokoya and Mr. Nagite Okogbe implored the court to grant their clients bail but the police prosecutor objected this, saying granting the accused persons bail might aggravate tension in the state.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Falilat Sodamade denied the bail application for the three accused persons and ordered them to be remanded at Ilesa Prison custody.

She then adjourned the case till 10th of April 2017.

In a chat with our correspondent outside the court, the Osun State Commandant of Nigeria Peace corps, Mr Ayinde Paul faulted the prosecution of his men, saying they should not have been arraigned.

He said: “The riot did not concern the volunteers prosecuted in anyway, it was between the students and the Vigilante group attached to the school.”

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