BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 35-year-old market cleaner at Kajola-Ijesa market in Atakunmosa West Local Government Area of Osun State, Mrs. Rukayat Azeez, has been arraigned at a Magistrate’s Court in Ilesa by the state police command for allegedly insulting the traditional ruler of the community and two others.
The woman was accused of insulting the monarch, Oba Aderibigbe Okunade Omirin, the traditional ruler of Kajola-Ijesa, Chief Adeniran Olatunde, Babaloja Kajola-Ijesa, and one Omirin Ademola.
She was further alleged to have assaulted one Hon. Omirin Ademola and Chief Adeniran Olatunde Babaloja by rough-handling them and dragging their cloth in the market place.
The charge slammed against the defendant read, “That you Rukayat Azeez, on 14th December, 2022, at about 14hours at Kajola via Osu in Ilesa Magisterial District did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by insulting Oba Aderibigbe Okunade Omirin, the traditional ruler of Kajola-Ijesa, Chief Adeniran Olatunde, Babaloja Kajola-Ijesa, and Omirin Ademola at random having signed undertaking to leave the market place on 09/12/2017, yet she remains, causing problem in the said market thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol II, law of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
“That you Rukayat Azeez on same date, time and place and aforementioned Magisterial District, assault one Hon. Omirin Ademola and Chief Adeniran Olatunde Babaloja by rough handling them and dragging their cloth in the market place and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 351 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.”
When Azeez was arraigned before Magistrate Idowu Omoniyi last week Thursday, she pleaded not guilty to the two count-charge leveled against her by the complainants.
Mrs Omoniyi had ordered that Azeez be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre till Monday, December 19, when her bail application would be considered.
When the matter was mentioned on Monday, the Magistrate granted the woman bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in the like sum. She said the surety must be the defendant’s close relative and must submit three clear passports to the court.
The defence counsel, Niyi Akinsola urged the court to order the police prosecutor, Inspector Jimoh Musa to furnish him with the proof of evidence so as to prepare for the hearing.
The prosecutor promised to supply the documents to the defence counsel.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned till February 1, 2023 for definite hearing.
Azeez met her bail conditions and was released from the Correctional Centre.
