Yoruba Nation: Lagos police charge Tajudeen

Salesgirl allegedly killed by stray bullet during the Yoruba Nation Lagos rally, Jumoke Oyeleke . Photo provided by Wasiu Afolabi, an uncle to the deceased

One of the 48 Yoruba Nation protesters arrested by the police, Tajudeen Bakare, has been charged with the murder of a sachet water seller, Jumoke Oyeleke. The sachet water seller reportedly died from a stray bullet during the Yoruba self-determination protest held on July 3 in Ojota, Lagos.

The 48 protesters who were arrested on the same day were charged before a Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu. This is according to a statement signed by the Communications Manager, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Maxwell Adeleye.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, has charged the 48 Yoruba Nation Protesters arrested on Saturday 3rd July 2021 in Ojota, Lagos before a Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba. “They were charged for Unlawful Assembly, Unlawful Society and Conducts likely to cause breach of Public Peace.

“However, one of the arrested protesters, Tajudeen Bakare (the popular Ogboni Chief) was charged by the Police for the murder of a Sachet Water Hawker, Jumoke Oyeleke, killed by a stray bullet during the protest.

“The bail granted to all the Protesters was upheld by the Court but that of Bakare was revoked. The Court refers Bakare’s case to the Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) for further advice.”