A 72-year old man, Suleman Akande, and three others have been arraigned by the police in Osun before a Magistrate’s court sitting in Osogbo, for allegedly threatening to kill the traditional ruler of Osogbo, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, and also for destroying his palm trees worth N1.8m.
Akande and others, including Jimoh Ajao, 50; Ganiyu Adigun, 50, and Jimoh Ajadi, 60, were slammed with a four-count charge bearing on threat to life, malicious damage, forceful entry and breach of peace.
Police prosecutor, Taiwo Adegoke, informed the court that sometimes in August, 2017, at Irepodun community, the accused persons forcibly entered the land belonging to Oba Jimoh Laroye II, the Ataoja of Osogbo, in a manner likely to cause breach of peace and willfully damaged 18 palm trees valued at N1.8m.
Adegoke explained that the accused persons also erected a foundation on the land and on December 7, 2017, threatened the life of the Baale of Iredopun community, Chief Adewale Sikiru, and the life of his Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Laroye II.
The prosecutor added that the offences contravened sections 81, 86, 249(d), 430 and 516(A) of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty of the offences and their counsel, Barrister Adeyinka Dada, prayed the court for their bail in the most liberal terms.
In his ruling, Magistrate Mary Awodele granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each and adjourned the case till February 2, 2017 for hearing.
