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Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo has struck out the attempted murder case against seven associates of Minister of Interior and former governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Those arraigned include former All Progressives Congress( APC) state secretary and current chairman of Aregbesola’s faction of the party in the state, Mr. Rasaq Salinsile; former APC state chairman, Rev. Adelowo Adebiyi; former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Kazeem Salami; and former Commissioner for Youth, Sport and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade.
Others were former Special Adviser to Aregbesola on Taxation, Barr. Gbenga Akano; and two APC members from Ilesa and Osogbo, Alaba Popoola and Azeez Adekunle respectively.
The defendants were charged for attempted murder, assault and breach of peace allegedly committed at the venue of the sitting of APC Ward Congress Appeal Committee.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Friday, Mr F. Akintayo, a counsel from the state’s Ministry of Justice, informed the court that the Ministry has taken over the prosecution of the case from the police.
Akintayo then applied for the case to be withdrawn from court.
The defence team led by Gbenga Awosode did not oppose the application.
In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Dr. Segun Ayilara, subsequently dismissed the case.