[Adesewa]

Fourteen students of the Ondo State-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo who were arrested by the police during a violent protest over enforcement of order on payment of school fees, were wednesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in the ancient town.

The accused, 13 males and one female were brought before the Chief Magistrate Court -II sitting at the GRA in the town, with Charge No: MOW/20C/2018.

They were arranged on a three-count charge of conspiracy, felony to wit stealing and malicious damage.

The name of the suspects are; Lukman Arowolo 21,Iyanuoluwa Gift 21, Olayinka Oyewole 21, Aladejebi Temitope 35, Oluwadare Gbenga 26,Japhet Samuel 21, Ayeni Samuel 24, Lawrence Monday 24,Titus Felix 22, Emmanuel Segun 23, Ayeni Temitope 21,Ayeni Trust 23, Olayinka Olalekan 17,and Ayomide Opeyemi 21.

The students of the polytechnic had on Monday went on rampage following the decision of the authorities of the school to enforce ‘no school fees no examination.”

During the protest, the protesters vandalised school properties including the its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre where computer sets were stolen.

At the arraignment, the police prosecutor, Mr Edu Owolabi, told the court that the offences of the suspects are contrary and punishable under Sections 516, 390(9) and 451of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

All the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charge but Owolabi opposed their bail as pleaded by their defence counsel.
Speaking on the bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Sunday Adedapo said, deferred ruling on their bail application till he next adjournment date.
The matter would come up for hearing on February 5, 2018.