The Ondo State Government has officially taken over the prosecution of a self-proclaimed monarch, Adekolajo Aladeseyi, and two chiefs, Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle, for the illegal installation of the Olujare of Ijare community in Ifedore Local Council of Ondo State.

This decision followed a Chief Magistrate’s Court ruling on Monday, May 13, which granted them bail. It has also been revealed that additional suspects have been arrested. These suspects will be charged alongside the trio for their alleged involvement in the illegal installation of Aladeseyi as the monarch of the agrarian community.

The defendants were recently arraigned before Chief Magistrate Jaiyeola Ogungade by the State Police Command for allegedly instigating unrest in Ijare. They faced a three-count charge related to conduct likely to breach public peace and violating the Ondo State Chiefs Law by attempting to install Aladeseyi as monarch without state approval.

According to Police Prosecutor Babatunde Ajiboye, the accused conspired on April 15, 2025, to install Aladeseyi during a clandestine 1:00 a.m. ceremony, in violation of Sections 249(d) and 517(A) of the state’s Criminal Code and Section 15(1)(2) of the Chiefs Law. Ajiboye told the court that such installations require explicit approval from the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs.

One of the charges read: “That you, Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence, Ajidahun, Adegbenro Akanle, 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 approval by the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge, and their lead counsel, Mr Adelanke Akinrata, requested bail in liberal terms based on Section 36 Subsection 5 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The Magistrate granted bail in the sum of N1 million and requested sureties in like sum, who must produce tax clearance for three years and demonstrate good character.

The temporary relief for the suspects was, however, short-lived as the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs E.T. Kolade-Obanijesu, announced that the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had taken over the prosecution of the case.

Chief Magistrate Ogungade granted the takeover and adjourned the hearing to June 13.