The Police in Osun State have arraigned two men for allegedly attacking some of their family members over a land issue.
The defendants, Aliu Akindele Odesanmi, aged 72 and Rasaq Olatunde, aged 70, were accused of inflicting machete cuts on two of their relations and destroying the economic trees on the land in dispute.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Sholola Oluwatoyin, informed an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court where the senior citizens were dragged to, that they committed the offence between January 23 and 27, 2024 in Oke-Osun community of the state.
They allegedly assaulted Abiodun Azeez, Alimi Tajudeen and Ismail Muhmeen and maliciously damaged cashew trees planted by one Alimi Tajudeen which was worth the sum of N700, 000.00.
The charge read, “That you Aliu Akindele Odesanmi and Rasaq Olatunde on 27th February, 2024 in Oke-Osun did macheted one Abiodun Azeez on his head by inflicting deep injury on him, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 355 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
“That you Aliu Akindele Odesanmi and Rasaq Olatunde on 27th February, 2024 in Oke-Osun at the aforementioned Magisterial District did beat one Ismail Muhmeen, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 252 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.”
Inspector Oluwatoyin further said that the accused persons contravened sections 516 and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
Odesanmi and Olatunde pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
Praying the court for bail, the defendants, through their lawyer, Najite Okobe, said they would provide reliable people as sureties and that the constitution presumes them innocent until proven contrary.
But, Oluwatoyin objected to the bail application, saying that they had been arraigned before Justice Falola of the state High Court and that they signed a memorandum of peace accord but reneged.
“After signing the peace accord in court, they (defendants) still went and encroached on the land of the complainants which were against the order of the court.
“The defendants were violent in their approach and made attempts on the lives of the complainants. The safety of the complainants is not guaranteed if they are released on bail,” the prosecutor claimed.
However, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara discountenanced the objections and granted the duo bail on the sum of N1 million with two sureties.
He said each of the defendants must be a civil servant of not less than level ten while the second surety must be a house owner in the jurisdiction.
The matter was adjourned till May 6, 2024 for hearing. The defendants could not meet the bail conditions and were taken to Ilesa Correctional Centre.
