Ondo prince, 80, arraigned for property damage, breach of peace

An 80-year-old prince from Bolorunduro in Ondo East Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, Adefusi Adebisi, was on Monday arraigned before a magistrates’ court for allegedly damaging property and breaching the peace.

Adebisi was dragged before the court by the police for allegedly trespassing on land belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi and destroying economic trees valued at ₦247 million.

A three-count, which includes conspiracy to commit forcible entry, malicious damage, and trespassing, was preferred against Adebisi.

The octogenarian and others still at large were said to have committed the crime on November 25, 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro.

In the case brought before the court (Charge No. MBD/8C/2025), Police Prosecutor H. A. Olagbaju stated that the defendant’s actions were likely to incite a breach of the peace.

The charge sheet read: “That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire to commit a felony, to wit: forcible entry, malicious damage to properties, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, wilfully and unlawfully destroyed plantain, cocoa, kolanut, and palm trees valued at Two Hundred and Forty-Seven Million Naira (₦247,000,000.00) belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace, entered land that is in actual and peaceable possession of Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 81 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
With the defendant pleading not guilty to all charges, the defence counsel, Mr. E. O. Edo, requested bail on behalf of the accused, arguing that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty and assuring the court of his client’s readiness to attend all hearings.
Senior Magistrate Mrs Mike-Akinbola granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two sureties in like sum.
She specified that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of two years of tax clearance, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and submit their National Identification Numbers (NIN).
The court adjourned the case to March 5, 2025, for hearing, directing the prosecutor to file all necessary proof of evidence before the next sitting.