Ondo PDP chairmanship aspirant faces criminal charges

Ay Oasis

Trial of a Chairmanship aspirant of the PDP in Ondo state and former. Deputy National Youth Leader, Mr. Dennis Alonge scheduled for today may be stalled due to the public holiday as announced by the Federal Government in celebration of the Eid El Filtril.

Mr. Alonge who is standing trial along side three others was arraigned before an Akure High Court for attempted murder. It would be recalled that the accused had earlier been remanded  by the court in Olokuta prison, Akure on the same matter.

The accused while pleading not guilty to the charges brought against them, were alleged to have willfully attacked a fellow member of their party over issues within their ward which resulted in the death of a young child. Mr. Alonge and the other accused individuals were consequently charged to court and remanded in prison.

Sitting over the case on the 4th of May 2020, the presiding judge His Lordship, Honorable Justice adjourned the matter to Tuesday the 26th of May to hear the defense of the accused. Mr Alonge was relieved of his chieftaincy title by the Traditional leadership council of his community over a long standing issue of disrespect to the king, who is also standing as a witness against the former youth leader.

The PDP in the state seems to have been shielding the accused in a bid to provide soft landing for the embattled Chairmanship aspirant. When contacted, the party said that it would not be commenting on the matter since its already before the courts. The Director of Media and Publicity, Zaddok Akintoye when asked to comment said that since the matter was already in court, it would be improper for the party to make a statement on the matter but also opined that anyone accused of a crime must be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, it has become quite worrisome that a party would willfully seek to defend someone who has been brought before the courts for a criminal offence, considering that the said defendant does not enjoy support of party members who have accused him of being part of the Sheriff camp that ensured that the PDP lost the last election.

Attempts to speak with the defendant proved abortive as his number was unavailable when called.