Court remands Osun monarch, others for arson

The Elegbedi of Egbedi in Osun State, Oba Muideen Azeez, along with four other defendants, has been remanded at the Ile-Ife custodial centre due to their failure to perfect bail conditions set by the court.

The decision was made on Thursday after the group stood trial for arson and malicious damage to a farm in Iloba town.

The defendants, Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran, and Sarafadeen Abioye, were tried alongside the monarch before an Osun State High Court in Ede on 29 counts.

The five were arraigned on June 27, 2024, facing charges that included arson, destruction of farmland, illegal possession of firearms, and robbery.

The charge sheet details the alleged offences, stating, “Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (A.k.a Asemalu), Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (A.k.a. Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye, and others at large, on or about September 3, 2019, at a farm in Oloba within the Ede Judicial Division, while armed with firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil with her of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernels, palm fruits, goats, and other domestic animals valued at about N10 million, and at, or immediately before or after the time of the robbery, used personal violence against the said Wasilatu Akinola and other women with her.”

Further charges state that the same individuals “willingly and unlawfully set the palace of Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, Oloba of Iloba, and other buildings in Iloba town on fire.”

These actions were reported to be contrary to Sections 402, 403A, 443, 2(1), and 249(1) of the State Criminal Law 2002.

During the court proceedings on Thursday, Justice Kudirat Akano granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million, requiring two sureties each. One of the sureties was mandated to be a level 16 civil servant with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other must be a part-two monarch. However, the defendants were unable to meet these conditions, resulting in a correctional service vehicle escorting them out of the court premises around 2:10 pm.

At the beginning of the proceedings, Mr. Abiodun Badiora from the state Ministry of Justice represented the prosecution, while Mr. Bukola Atobatele defended the defendants. A prosecution witness, Mustafa Waheed, testified that the Elegbedi assaulted him after he reported the monarch to the police for destroying his farm.

Justice Akano has adjourned the matter until October 16 for further hearing.