By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

Six persons arrested in connection with the assault on the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development Centre, Akure, Temidayo Rotifa have been arraigned before a Chief Akure Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure.

The suspects include a 50-year old woman, Magdalene Elisha and her son Collins Elisha, 17.

The defendants and the four others: Wisdom Elisha,17; Kennedy Elisha,35; Osareti Osesa 42; and Dorcas Ajise,55 were brought to court on a 10-count charge of conspiracy, assault, assault occasioning harm, threat to life, breach of the public peace, impersonation and attempted murder.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, the defendants and others still at large committed the offence on May 29, 2025, around 8:00 p.m. in the Aule area of Akure.

Akintimehin alleged that the defendants and their accomplices at large conspired to assault the victim (Rotifa) by beating him to a pulp with fist blows and also dragged him from the police vehicle, sustaining physical and internal injuries.

He told the court that the defendants threatened to kill Rotifa and boasted that they would chase him out of Akure with everything at their disposal.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants, in the process assaulted some police officers, who attempted to intervene during the attack, led by one Inspector Mathew Idowu, while performing their lawful duty.

Their actions, the prosecutor added, created chaos in the community after they falsely labelled the police officers as kidnappers, inciting panic among residents.

He stated that one of the defendants, Kennedy Elisha, allegedly impersonated a military officer during the confrontation.

He further alleged that the defendants, armed with cutlasses, sticks, and other weapons, attempted to set the police patrol van ablaze and endangered the lives of officers on duty.

He said the offences committed contravene Sections 516, 355, 356(1), 86, 249(d), 484, 126, and 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The six defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor told the court that the prosecution would call seven witnesses to prove its case and requested an adjournment to allow for a thorough review of the case file.

Defence counsel, O. Adaramola, pleaded with the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms, assuring that they were ready to meet the conditions and provide credible sureties.

He also prayed the court to allow the defendants to remain in police custody pending the perfection of their bail.

Chief Magistrate Sunday Adedapo granted each defendant bail in the sum of N750,000, with two sureties in like sum.

He directed that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and present two passport photographs, an affidavit of means, and valid tax clearance certificates.

The matter was adjourned to July 1, 2025, for hearing.