Yoruba Nation activist Adejumo Lateef, who was on trial for treason, has died in custody, causing alarm among his supporters and family members.
Lateef was one of 27 individuals facing charges, including conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and treason, related to an April 2024 incident in which the Oyo State Government Secretariat was allegedly invaded in a bid to declare the Yoruba Nation, also known as the Oodua Republic.
The Nigeria Correctional Services confirmed Lateef’s passing during a court hearing at the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, marking a significant development in the high-profile case.
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The defendants, led by Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo Joseph, and Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, are linked to the Yoruba Nation movement, which advocates for self-determination for Nigeria’s Yoruba-speaking population.
The case has garnered national attention, symbolizing broader debates over Nigeria’s unity and regional autonomy.
Presiding Judge, Justice K. B. Olawoyin, expressed condolences to Lateef’s family and promised fair proceedings for the remaining defendants.
“This court assures all defendants of their right to a fair and unbiased trial, and we acknowledge the seriousness of this tragic loss,” Justice Olawoyin stated.
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In light of Lateef’s death, the judge adjourned the trial and scheduled further hearings for November 6, 8, and 13, 2024.
Lateef’s passing has intensified scrutiny of the conditions within Nigeria’s correctional facilities, with rights groups calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Yoruba Nation movement, a growing voice in Nigeria’s political landscape, has prompted ongoing discussions about regional autonomy and the country’s future.