THE Chairman of The Osun Progressives, a faction of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Lowo Adebiyi, and six other members of the group, were on Monday, arraigned for conspiracy and assault.

All the accused persons are known political associates of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

Also arraigned alongside Adebiyi before the presiding magistrate, Dr Olusegun Ayilara of Osogbo Magistrates’ Court were: the incumbent APC Caretaker Secretary, Rasaq Salinsile; ex-Osun state Commissioner for Works, Kazeem Salami; ex-Commissioner for Sports and Special Needs, Biyi Odunlade, ex-Assistant Chief of Staff to the governor, Gbenga Akano; Alaba Popoola and Azeez Adekunle.

Recall, there were clashes between supporters of the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and those of Aregbesola, at the APC State Secretariat in Osogbo, on Saturday, August 14.

The clash occurred during the sitting of the Appeal Committee hearing petitions arising from the last Ward Congress of the party in the state.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants were said to have on August 14 at about 1:30 pm at Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo conspired to commit assault occasioning harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 34 vol II laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

The defendants were also said to have at the same location and time, assaulted one Hamsat Babatunde, by hitting his head with a stone, causing him harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 355 of the criminal code, cap 34 vol II, laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

The defendants were also alleged to have assaulted one Ajetunmobi Muideen by hitting him with parts of a broken chair.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Muftau Adediran and Abdulfatai Abdusalam announced appearances for the defendants.

Addressing the court, Abdusalam moved an application for bail on behalf of the defendants, but the police prosecutor, John Idoko, did not object.

Ruling on the application, Ayilara admitted to bail Adebiyi, Salinsile, Salami, Akano and Odunlade on self-recognition.

But Popoola and Adekunle were granted bail in the sum of N5m and one surety in like sum. Ayilara adjourned the matter till September 24 for mention.