An Ondo State Magistrate Court sitting in Akure has ordered the remand of a 67-year-old man, Adekolajo Aladeseye, who allegedly paraded himself as the Olujare of Ijare, a traditional stool in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.
The accused, alongside Fasore Lawrence, Ajidahun Abraham, and Adegbenro Akanle, was ordered to be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Facility pending further hearing. The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Jayeola, who adjourned the case to Monday, May 12, 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons and others still at large allegedly conspired in the early hours of April 15, 2025, around 1:00 a.m., in Ijare town, to commit a misdemeanor by engaging in conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, an offence punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
In a second count, the defendants were accused of conducting themselves in a disorderly manner by unlawfully and falsely installing Adekolajo Aladeseye as the Olujare of Ijare without the authorization of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs.
This, according to the prosecution, also constitutes conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, contrary to Section 249 (d) of the same law.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against them before the Magistrate Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Jaiyeola Solomon Ogungade.
The prosecutor said he has seven witnesses to present as witnesses. He also has proof of evidence to be presented during the trial.
But the lead counsel to the suspects, Mr Adelanke Akinrata asked the court to grant bail to them in liberal terms. He said the application is premised on section 36 sub 5 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
According to him, the defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty according to Section 146 sub 1 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL). Akinrata said the essence of bail is to ensure the presence and guarantee of the accused to stand trial before the court.
He assured the court to ensure the availability of the suspects during trial.
Akinrata added that the accused would not tamper with the investigation which had long been concluded, saying they are responsible chiefs in the community who would not plunge the community into crisis.
However, a chief in the town, Chief Wemimo Olaniran said there would be a crisis in the town if the accused persons were granted bail by the court. He said there was a detachment of police to maintain peace in the town over the obaship crisis.
Olaniran, a kingmaker in the town said his colleagues are living in fear of being attacked by hoodlums loyal to the self-styled monarch. He said granting him bail would lead to impunity as other princes in the town would install themselves as monarchs of the community.
Chief Magistrate Ogungade however adjourned the ruling on the bail application to May 12. He remanded the suspects in custody pending the determination of the application.
The court’s remand order underscores the government’s stance against unauthorized traditional installations and the disruption of public order.
The matter will resume for further hearing next week.
