Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara of Osun State Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo has dismissed the case brought against seven leaders of the Osun Progressives, a group within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Ayilara dismissed the case after the prosecution team from the Ministry of justice has applied for it to be withdrawn from the court.
The accused persons are, factional chairman of the APC, Hon Rasaq Salinsile, Former APC State Chairman, Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi; former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Kazeem Salami.
Others are former Commissioner for Youth Sport and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade; former Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation, Barr. Gbenga Akano; and two APC members from Ilesa and Osogbo, Alaba Popoola and Azeez Adekunle respectively.
They were charged for attempted murder, assault, breach of peace allegedly committed during the sitting of Ward Congress Appeal Committee on August 14, 2021.
It will be recalled that Governor Gboyega Oyetola has last month ordered that the case, initially filed by police, be withdrawn from the court.
When the case came up at an Osogbo Magistrate Court today, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Judiciary, Prince Abolarin Abidoye, led two other lawyers from the state Ministry of Justice.
But the Magistrate, Dr Olusegun Ayilara, said Abidoye did not have right of audience as he is not a lawyer in the ministry.
Based on the position of the Magistrate, Abidoye handed over to Mr O. F Akintayo, who is a state counsel.
Akintayo said the Ministry of Justice has taken over the prosecution of the case from the police.
READ ALSO: PDP Convention: Adeleke caucus suffers setback as PDP disqualifies Ladipo, Olafeso
He thereafter applied that the case be withdrawn from the court.
Defence Counsels did not oppose the application.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ayilara discharged and acquitted all the seven accused persons.
Magistrate Ayilara thereafter dismissed the case.
