Michael Adedapo Omisade & Ors V. The Queen (1964)

LawGlobal-Hub Lead Judgment Report

ADEMOLA, C.J.N.

The appellants were charged with others in the High Court of Lagos and the criminal information filed against them is as follows:-

“Oladipo Akinwunmi Maja, Michael Adedapo 36, Gabby Sasore, Adeyiga Akinsanya, Richard Babalola, Sunbo Jibowu, Samuel Akanbi Onitiri, Sebastian James Umoren, Ayo Akinsanya, Sunday Ebietoma, Samuel Taiwo Oredein, Anomuogharan Okotie-Yesin alias Morrison Okotie, Lateef Jakande, Josiah Olawoyin, Uzodinma Iroegbu Nwaobiala, Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, Alfred Ogbeyiwa Rewane, Gabriel Eyekwonire Ekwejunor-Etchie, Chike Obi, Simeon Oyeshile, Samuel Adesanya Otubanjo, Joseph Sarwian Tarka, Josiah Oladiran Lawanson, Muri Badmus, Joshua Olatunde Akinropo Akamo, Alex Tunde Amuwo, Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Eronsele Enahoro, Samuel Grace Ikoku, Ayo Adebanjo and James Olubunmi Aluko are charged with the following offences:-

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE-FIRST COUNT

Treasonable felony, contrary to Section 41 (b) of the Criminal Code.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

Oladipo Akinwunmi Maja, Michael Adedapo Gabby Sasore, Adeyiga Akinsanya, Richard Babalola, Sunbo Jibowu, Samuel Akanbi Onitiri, Sebastian James Umoren, Ayo Akinsanya, Sunday Ebietoma, Samuel Taiwo Oredein, Anomuogharan Okotie-Yesin alias Morrison Okotie, Lateef Jakande; Josiah Olawoyin, Uzodinma Iroegbu Nwaobiala, Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, Alfred Ogbeyiwa Rewane, Gabriel Eyekwonire Ekwejunor-Etchie, Chike Obi, Simeon Oyeshile, Samuel Adesanya Otubanjo, Joseph Sarwian Tarka, Josiah Oladiran Lawanson, Muri Badmus, Joshua Olatunde Akinropo Akamo, Alex Tunde Amuwo, Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Eronsele Enahoro, Samuel Grace Ikoku, Ayo Adebanjo and James Olubunmi Aluko between December, 1960, and September, 1962, in Lagos and in various other places in Nigeria formed an intention to levy war against our Sovereign Lady the Queen within Nigeria in order by force or constraint to compel our Sovereign Lady the Queen to change her measures or counsels and manifested such intention by overt acts detailed below:

OVERT ACTS OF THE OFFENCE

1. Between November, 1961, and September, 1962, Ayo Akinsanya, Samuel Taiwo Oredein, Lateef Jakande, Alfred Ogbeyiwa Rewane, Gabriel Eyekwonire Ekwejunor-Etchie, Joseph Sarwian Tarka and Obafemi Awolowo, solicited, incited and endeavoured to persuade and procure certain persons to take part in the levying of war against our Sovereign Lady the Queen.

2. Obafemi Awolowo between December, 1960, and February, 1962, procured Oladipo Akinwunmi Maja to arrange for the training of Nigerians outside Nigeria in the unlawful use of explosives, weapons, arms and ammunitions in preparation for the said levying of war within Nigeria against our Sovereign Lady the Queen.

3. Between November, 1961, and September, 1962, Michael Adedapo 36, Gabby Sasore, Adeyiga Akinsanya, Richard Babalola, Sebastian James Umoren, Ayo Akinsanya, Sunday Ebietoma, Anomuogharan Okotie-Yesin alias Morrison Okotie, Uzodinma Iroegbu Nwaobiala, Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, Samuel Adesanya Otubanjo, Joseph Sarwian Tarka, Josiah Oladiran Lawanson, Muri Badmus, Joshua Olatunde Akinropo Akamo and Alex Tunde Amuwo with various other persons attended, outside Nigeria, courses of training in the unlawful use of explosives, weapons, arms, and ammunitions with the purpose of taking part within Nigeria in the said levying of war against our Sovereign Lady the Queen.

4. Between November, 1961, and September, 1962, Oladipo Akinwunmi Maja, Michael Adedapo 36, Gabby Sasore, Adeyiga Akinsanya, Richard Babalola, Sunbo Jibowu, Samuel Akanbi Onitiri, Sebastian James Umoren, Ayo Akinsanya, Sunday Ebietoma, Samuel Taiwo Oredein, Anomuogharan Okotie-Yesin, alias Morrison Okotie, Lateef Jakande, Josiah Olawoyin, Uzodinma Iroegbu Nwaobiala, Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, Alfred Ogbeyiwa Rewane, Gabriel Eyekwonire Ekwejunor-Etchie, Chike Obi, Simeon Oyeshile, Samuel Adesanya Otubanjo,Joseph Sarwian Tarka,Josiah Oladiran Lawanson, Muri Badmus, Joshua Olatunde Akimropo Akamo, Alex Tunde Amuwo, Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Eronsele Enahoro, Samuel Grace Ikoku, Ayo Adebanjo, and James Olubunmi Aluko were concerned in the unlawful importation of arms and ammunitions into Nigeria and the unlawful possession thereof and the unlawful purchase and possession of explosives in Nigeria.

5. During the month of August, 1962, Michael Adedapo 36 and Samuel Akanbi Onitiri for purposes prejudicial to the safety of Nigeria visited the Power Station of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria at Ijora, Lagos.

6. During the month of August, 1962, Michael Adedapo 36 for purposes prejudicial to the safety of Nigeria visited the Control Tower at Lagos Airport, Ikeja