By Ayodele Popoola

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The Ondo State Amotekun Corps has arraigned three men before a Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, over alleged extortion, illegal possession of firearms, and an attempt to kill a farmer.

The defendants are facing four counts bothering on conspiracy, extortion, illegal possession of firearms and attempted murder.

The prosecuting counsel, P.O. Nwofor told the court that the defendants committed the offences on February 3, 2024, around 1 pm at Alarere community forest between Okeigbo and Osun State.

Nwofor told the court that the defendants, alongside his accomplices, conspired to extort and encroach on Ondo State forest.

He also told the court that the defendants had in their possessions, a pump action gun and other prohibited firearms and also attacked some labourers who were employees of one Opeola Ismail and caused them grievous harm.

The prosecutor further alleged the defendants of attacking and attempting to kill Opeola and other hunters he called to help him during the attack.

The offences contravene Sections 516(a), 332, 306 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006, and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap. R II, Vol. 14, LFN 2004.

The prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendants to the Correctional Centre, pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution(DPP).

Lawyer to the defendants, Kehinde Osadugba, urged the court to go through the case file to know whether there were probable causes to remand the defendants.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the case till March 7, for a ruling on the application.