Notable politicians and loyalists of the detained Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, on Wednesday besieged the Agodi Prison, Ibadan, where he is currently being incarcerated.
Folarin, a chieftain of the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, was on Tuesday remanded in prison by a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Iyaganku where he was charged with three others over an alleged two-count charge of conspiracy and murder of a factional leader of the state council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Lateef Salako (a.k.a Eleweomo).
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Fatima Badrudeen, while admitting that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, had remanded the accused in prison and adjourned the case till January 14, 2010 to enable their lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), to file bail application before a competent court.
Our correspondent, who observed events at the premises of the prison for over three hours on Wednesday, observed that high profile politicians were among those who besieged the prison to solidarise with the senator.
The politicians cut across the barriers of political parties.
Among early callers at the prison was the member representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Omotayo Oyetunji.
Oyetunji, who was formerly a personal assistant to Folarin, did not speak with journalists. He claimed that he was on an errand for the senator and will return to grant interview. He, however, did not return before our correspondent left the prison.
Another politician who visited the senate leader is a leader of a coalition of PDP chieftains opposed to the second term ambition of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Senator Lekan Balogun.
Balogun, who conversed with the detained politician for a couple of minutes, later told journalists that Folarin was in high spirit.
He said that rather than weighing down members of the opposition, Folarin’s incarceration had further emboldened them to remain resolute to work for a change of leadership in the state during the forthcoming elections.
Also, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, was at the prison on Wednesday.
Ajimobi, who was ushered in at about 1pm, came out at about 1.45pm and told journalists that he was there to greet his younger brother.
Confirming that the detained senator was in high spirit, Ajimobi said that incarceration was part of the hazards of politics that should not discourage any politician that knows his onions.
He said, “It is a lesson for us all to shun politics of thuggery, vindictiveness and parochialism. Let us put the right people like me in power.”
Two suspended members of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Adejumobi and Mr. Kazeem Ayilara, were also seen at the premises of the prison.
Some other loyalists of the senator were seen milling around the prison premises, discussing the hush tone.
Security men at the prison had a hectic time controlling the vehicular and human movements into the premises.
Some social miscreants, popularly called area boys, took advantage of the situation and laid siege on the premises of the prison.
Meanwhile, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and the Olubadan-in -Council, have scheduled separate emergency meetings for Thursday (today) to discuss Folarin’s travail.
It was gathered on Wednesday that the two bodies decided to wade into the matter because it is believed that Folarin‘s trial is a fallout of the disagreement between Alao-Akala and prominent leaders and people of Ibadanland.
| Posted: at | |
ajanni
TRENDING GISTS 
"I Did It. I Killed Her" -Man Who Strangles Wife In Hospital Bed Over Medical Bills Confesses
Nigerian Man, Desmond Oogwu Celebrates As He Survives Motor Accident, Shares Accident Scene
Binance CEO Reveals How Tinubu Govt Demanded $150m Bribe To Make ‘Illegal’ Nigeria Charges Go Away
Singer Tuface' Baby Mama Pero Adeniyi Praises Her Lover For Changing Her Life
VIDEO; Singer, Rema Celebrates 24th Birthday In Style In Los Angeles
Celebrities, Fans Celebrate Actor, Junior Pope’s Posthumous Birthday