An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court has discharged and acquitted a former President of the Students’ Union Government of Ekiti State University, Ibitola Babatope, and the President of the Moba Students’ Union, Boluwaji Isola, of allegations bordering on unlawful assembly and cultism.

The duo was among 11 persons arrested by the police during a raid on a hotel in Ikun-Ekiti on the eve of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in the state.

In a ruling delivered on May 26, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun discharged the two student leaders following legal advice issued by the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice, which reportedly found no evidence linking them to the alleged offences.

According to the enrolment of the court order, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Olaniyi Olakunle Akinlabi, after reviewing the case file forwarded by the police, advised that there was insufficient evidence to establish any connection between the two defendants and the alleged crimes.

The court consequently struck out their names from the charge and ordered the release of their seized belongings, including mobile phones and power banks, which had been in police custody since their arrest. (The Nation)