Adejumo Lateef, a member of the Yoruba Nation agitators, has died while in custody, as confirmed by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service during a court session at the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday. Lateef, who was the 18th defendant in a case brought by the Oyo State Government, passed away before the group’s arraignment.
The remaining 27 defendants were arraigned before Justice K. B. Olawoyin at Court 3 of the Oyo State High Court. The defendants, operating under the Yoruba Nation movement, are accused of invading the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, on April 13, 2024, where they declared the formation of a sovereign Yoruba Nation.
The suspects face a five-count charge, including conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason. These offences are punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The prosecution is being led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, S. O. Adeoye.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that the majority of the defendants lacked legal representation. Although some defendants were represented—Adebola Ogungbe for the 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 12th defendants, and Toluwase Ogundeji for the 15th defendant—others were without lawyers. However, two lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola and S. A. Sanmi, volunteered to represent the remaining unrepresented defendants.
Three of the defendants—6th, 23rd, and 24th—requested more time to contact their families in order to arrange for legal representation.
As a result, Justice Olawoyin adjourned the case to the 6th, 8th, and 13th of November 2024 for arraignment and hearing, allowing time for the defendants to secure legal counsel.
The incident has sparked discussions about the treatment of detainees and the handling of the Yoruba Nation movement, a group advocating for the secession of the southwestern region of Nigeria.
