A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Thursday remanded a self-imposed monarch, Adekolajo Aladeseyi, 67, for alleged unauthorised installation as the traditional ruler in Ijare, Ifedore Local Council Area of the state.

Aladeseyi was arraigned along with two chiefs, Fasore Lawrence, 63, and Adegbenro Akanle, 63, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful installation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace following their purported participation in the installation of the Olujare of Ijare without the consent or approval of the government.

The Olujare stool became vacant four years ago after the passing of Oba Adebamigbe Oluwagbemigun.

The suspects were dragged before the court by the police, with the prosecution informing the court that their action was capable of causing unrest in the agrarian community as well as violating the state’s chieftaincy laws.

According to the police prosecutor, Babatunde Ajiboye, the accused conspired and conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause public disorder.
The charge read: “You, Adekolajo Aladeseyi ‘m’ (2), Fasore Lawrence ‘m’ (3), Ajidahun Abraham ‘m’ (4), Adegbenro Akanle ‘m and others at large, on the 15th day of April, 2025, at about 1:00 AM at Ijare town within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, did conspire together to commit a misdemeanour, to wit, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Adekolajo Aladeseyi ‘m’, Fasore Lawrence ‘m’, Ajidahun Abraham ‘m’, Adegbenro Akanle ‘m’ and others at large, on the same date, time and place at about the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of public peace by illegally purporting to install one Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Adekolajo Aladeseyi ‘m’ (2), Fasore Lawrence ‘m’ (3), Ajidahun Abraham ‘m’ (4), Adegbenro Akanle ‘m’ and others at large, on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned Magisterial district, did install or purport to install Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 15(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Ondo State Chiefs Law Cap. 27 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
With the accused persons pleading not guilty to the charges against them before the Chief Magistrate, Jaiyeola Solomon Ogungade, the prosecutor, Ajiboye, informed the court that he has seven witnesses and sufficient evidence to support the charges.

Lead defence counsel, Mr Adelanke Akinrata, requested bail for the defendants, citing Sections 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 146(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
Akinrata argued that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and pledged they would not abscond or interfere with the concluded investigation.

However, a kingmaker, who is also a lawyer, Wemimo Olaniran, opposed the bail plea. He warned that granting bail could spark a further crisis, noting that police had been deployed to maintain peace in the community.

Olaniran expressed fear that other contenders might attempt to impose themselves as monarchs if the current situation goes unchecked.
Chief Magistrate Ogungade subsequently adjourned ruling on the bail application to May 12 and ordered that the suspects be remanded in custody pending determination of the application