OPC leader released on bail

A leader of the banned militia group, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Ganiyu Adams, was released on a N20,000 bail (about US $185) on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, news reports said. Adams was arraigned at Abeokuta Magistrate's court on a four-count charge of murder, stealing, robbery and illegal possession of arms, the 'Guardian' newspaper said. He was arrested by the Ogun State police two weeks ago in Lagos while signing a bond for his temporary release and was transferred to Ogun, the paper said. Adams, who was also arrested in August in neighbouring Lagos State and charged with 23 counts including murder and robbery, had been declared wanted since November 1999 following riots sparked by the OPC. More than 100 people died during the unrest, which led to the banning of the organisation by President Olusegun Obasanjo. The OPC, which was created in 1995 to protect the interests of Nigeria's Yoruba ethnic group, has been accused of rights violations, militia activities, and other illegal activities, such as publicly executing suspected criminals.