FG slams terrorism charges against Aswani market leader

The Federal Government has filed terrorism charges against leaders of Aswani International Market in Lagos State.

Head of the market, Chief Taoreed Farounbi, alias Baba Alado, and six others have been slammed with three counts before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Farounbi and his co-defendants were accused of conspiring and participating in acts of terrorism, leading to the killing of two men, Debo Olohunyo and Chibuzor Daniel, in the White Sand area of Isheri-Osun, Lagos State on March 19, this year

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants unleashed mayhem, leading to the destruction of many properties in the area.

The prosecution said the defendants acted contrary to Section 1(2) (a) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended by Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

Listed as Farounbi’s co-defendants are Alhaji Olusegun Akinde, alias Echo, Ayokunle Fakiyesi, Idowu Akinde, Musiliu Oladejo, Lekan Matthew, and Adeleke Akindeji.

Their arraignment was on Monday failed as the prosecuting counsel for the state, A. K. Alilu, told the judge that only the sixth defendant, Lekan Matthew, was in court, adding that the others had not been seen again after they were granted administrative bail.

The defence counsel, M.B. Jimoh-Akogun, assured the court that his clients had not absconded, saying the impression they had was that the case was fixed for December 16.

Following Jimoh-Akogun’s undertaking to accept service of the charge sheet on his clients, Justice Hassan ordered that the charge sheet be served on him, while he made an order remanding Matthew in correctional custody, pending the defendants’ arraignment on January 28, 2021.