Fifty students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, UNAAB were arraigned before a Magistrate court in Abeokuta on Friday over alleged destructive protest, which took place yesterday at the university community in Alabata near Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
The development is coming, even as the injured student,
Abisoye Taiwo, who was hit by Police bullet during the protest on Wednesday has
been transferred to the University College Teaching Hospital (UCH) Ibadan for
neuro-surgery after the incident.
The students, who were arrested in connection with the
protest over incessant robbery attacks on students outside the university
campus at Isolu area of Alabata, risked been committed to life imprisonment if
found guilty, for taking part in the destructive protest.
No fewer than five vehicles were burnt, including a
Toyota Camry Saloon Car belonging to one ASP Ariyo Adejuwon. Also destroyed was
a Church, Divine Height Bible Church Kotopo, Abeokuta, which is purportedly
owned by the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole.
They were also alleged to have 'wilfully and
unlawfully set fire to Osiele Police Station, property of Nigeria Police Force'.
The police prosecutors Sunday Eigbejiale and Emmanuel
Kayode told the court that the offences were committed at Camp Area of Abeokuta
in the Abeokuta Magistrate District.
The prosecutors told the court that the offences are
punishable under section 516(a), 443(a), 70, 71 and 451 of Criminal Code Laws
of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
All the accused persons who were represented by nine
Counsels however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.
While forty three (43) of the accused persons were
charged earlier in a case with suit number, MA/429c/2016, the other seven were
charged in a separate case with charge number, MA/430c/2016. They were however
charged with the same offences.
The students who were brought to court in many police
vehicles were arraigned on six-count charge, ranging from arson, taking part in
an unlawful assembly, riot and malicious damage of properties.
Taiwo, a twin who resides at Rehoboth Lodge at Isolu,
an off campus area that has been major target of the robbery attacks was rushed
to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Idi Aba, and later to the University
College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan for neuro-surgery, it was gathered.
At the FMC, some members of the Students' Union
Government (SUG) and confirmed that Taiwo had been transferred to the UCH.
One of the students, simply identified as Shakirat,
said, "he is responding to treatment. He is not dead. But, he has been
transferred to UCH (they just left few minutes ago) for neuro-surgery
operation, as he was injured in the eyes and part of his head," she said.
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