Three individuals arraigned for assaulting IBEDC officials in Osun

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Three individuals have been arraigned before an Osun State Magistrate Court in Osogbo on charges of assaulting and obstructing officials of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) while they were on duty.

The accused, Babatunde Taiwo (28), Adeyemi Jamiu (34), and Yunusa Saheed (21), are alleged to have assaulted IBEDC officials Abeebullah Asiru, Adejumo Dasola, and Dosumu Raphael on June 20, 2024, in the Ogo Oluwa area of Osogbo.

According to the charge sheet, the trio seriously assaulted the officials, preventing them from performing their lawful duties, causing injuries in the process.

The charges brought against them include violations of sections 517, 509, 249(d), 145, 356, and 338 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Pleading their case, defense counsels Okobe Najite, Tubosun Oladipo, and Funsho Muritala applied for bail on behalf of the accused.

In his ruling, Magistrate Segun Ayilara granted bail, setting the sum at N500,000 each with two sureties.

The Judge also ruled the sureties must be civil servants, relatives of the accused, and residents within Osogbo.

The case was further adjourned until July 17, 2024.

In a related incident, Tiamiyu Opeyemi (37) has also been charged with threatening to kill Mr. Olawami Ayodele, an IBEDC official, with a cutlass on July 2, 2023, while Ayodele was performing his official duties.

Opeyemi’s actions are said to contravene sections 81(6) and 249(d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

Responding to the accusation, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N250,000 with one surety.

The case is scheduled for hearing on August 2, 2024.