…party suspends culprits

The South West Public Relations Officer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Oladayo Badmus, and a Party Chieftain, Olayemi Idowu were on Wednesday brought before an Abeokuta Magistrate court in Isabo for stealing and malicious damage of valuables worth N575,000 belonging to Ogun NNPP

The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, malicious damage, and stealing of property belonging to NNPP.

The duo, however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Recalled that Oginni had on May 5 escaped an assassination attempt by suspected hoodlums who invaded the party's secretariat located at the Adatan area of Abeokuta, the state capital.

The suspected thugs armed with different weapons stormed the party's secretariat and attacked people they met at the office.

Oginni who was reportedly at the office during the attack narrowly escaped assassination, while some administrative staff were injured during the attack.

A few days after the assassination attempt, another set of hoodlums reportedly led by one Omokehinde Olowu suspected to be loyal to the governorship candidate of the party, Olufemi Ajadi invaded the party’s secretariat.

While arraigning the major suspects, the prosecutor, ASP Matthew Famuyiwa told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime on May 12 at Fajol House, car wash in Abeokuta.

Famuyiwa said the defendants conspired between themselves to commit felony by breaking and entering into the office of one Sunday Oginni, the chairman of New Nigerian People's Party in Ogun state.

He further stated that the defendants, unlawfully damaged two standing fans, windows, doors, photo portraits, and padlocks all valued at N575,000 belonging to the complainant Oginni.

He also alleged that the defendants also stole the sum of N7.5 million belonging to the complainant

The prosecutor, however, noted that the offence committed contravened sections 516, 411 412, 415, and 390 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs. S.A. Fiade, thereafter admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N2 million each with one surety each who must be licensed and registered bondsmen with Ogun state Judiciary.

Fiade however, adjourned the case until June 8 for hearing.

In a swift reaction, Oginni led State executives, however, suspended the duo till further notice.

The suspension was rectified after the motion was moved at an emergency stakeholders meeting of the party in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Oginni while speaking after the suspension, explained that the duo were suspended following their involvement in criminal activities, saying the party is law-abiding and won't harbour criminals.

He said, "Following, the outcome in court today, the duo of Oladayo Badmus (South West Public Relations Officer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP) and Olayemi Idowu ( NNPP'S Chieftain) are therefore suspended from this party till further notice.

"As a law-abiding party, we will not harbour criminals hence the ratification of their suspension by this meeting.

The NNPP Chairman, also commended the efforts of the Nigerian Police, Ogun State Command for its efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the party and the state.

Oginni added, “The initiative and Proactive measure put in place by The Ogun State Commissioner of Police Mr. Yomi Oladimeji to manage the crisis in the Ogun State Chapter of New Nigeria People's Party and making entire Ogun State Crime free is highly commendable .

“It is on record that the crisis in Ogun NNPP degenerated to a dangerous situation whereby criminality that can lead to blood bath was averted by the timely intervention of Nigerian Police.

“The Ogun State Executive Council under the Leadership of Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday on Monday afternoon call for the cooperation of the entire Ogun Citizens with the Nigerian Police to complement the efforts of the current Leadership of Ogun State Police Command on Zero tolerance for Crime and Violence.”