Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary, the chairman of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), was fined on Thursday for allegedly demolishing APC candidate billboards worth N4.2 million.
According to The News Agency of Nigeria, "Auxiliary," 61, was charged with six counts relating to conspiracy, unlawful property destruction, and violation of public peace when he appeared before an Iwo Road Chief Magistrates' Court in Ibadan.
ASP. Sunday Fatola, the prosecuting attorney, claimed that the defendant and other people who are still at large are accused of conspiring to perpetrate the crimes.
“The defendant, on Nov. 13, at Igboora, at about 6.50 p.m., was alleged to have wilfully and unlawfully damaged APC billboards bearing the pictures of the party’s presidential, governorship and House of Representatives candidates, valued at N1.2 million.
“Also, on Nov. 13, at about 11.00 a.m. at Ido, in Omi-Adio Magisterial Area, Lamidi allegedly conspired with others to wilfully and unlawfully damage APC billboard, bearing the picture of Aderemi Oseni, the party’s House of Representatives candidate valued at N3 million,” Fatola said.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 249 (d), 451 and 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The PMS chairman, whose followers filled up the court’s premises in a disciplined manner, was represented by J. D. Olaniyan and F. S. Gbadamosi.
Olaniyan told the court that the charges preferred against his client were politically motivated, and as such, were bailable.
He, therefore, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on self-recognition and on most liberal terms.
“The defendant, being the Chairman of PMS in the state, is not an ordinary person.
“He is a responsible person, so, he cannot run away and he will, surely, present himself in court,” Olaniyan told the court.
The Chief Magistrate, Taiwo Oladiran, however, granted the defendant bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Oladiran, thereafter, adjourned the matter until Feb. 2 for hearing.