By Ayodele Popoola

A 78-year-old man, Moses Adeyemo, has been arraigned before the Akure Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Oke-Eda, for allegedly shooting two youths during a festival and breach of public peace.

The septuagenarian, who is a prominent chief in Ogbagi-Akoko, was brought before the court, for shooting the youths during the last Ajagbo festival in the Akoko community.

He was charged with three counts of assault occasioning harm and breach of public peace

The prosecutor, Abdulateef Suliaman informed the court that the defendant committed the offences on October 18, 2023, at about 11:30pm at No 33, Egbako Street at Ogbagi-Akoko.

Suliaman alleged that the septuagenarian assaulted Eniola Adewumi on his left leg and Timileyin Ogunyemi, by shooting him on his right hand with a single barrel gun as a result of which he sustained injuries and minor bruises.

The prosecutor also said the defendant on same day and time conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, by disrupting the cultural activities of the town.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 320(1), 355, 349(D)of the Ondo State Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State 2016.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences leveled against him.

 Adeyemo, while addressing the court said it was a chieftaincy affair and he acted on self-defence when a mob tried to attack him.

The prosecutor, therefore, prayed for an adjournment to enable him study the case file and gather his witnesses.

Considering the age and the position of the defendant, his counsel urged the court to grant him bail in most liberal term.

Chief Magistrate N.K Aladejana, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till November 14, 2023, for hearing.