Court remands Osun monarch, four others for alleged arson

The Elegbedi of Egbedi in Osun State, Oba Muideen Azeez, and four other defendants, standing trial for alleged arson and malicious damage of a farm in Iloba town, were on Thursday remanded in the Ile-Ife Custodial Centre following their inability to perfect the bail granted them by the court.

Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye were the other defendants standing trial alongside the monarch before an Osun State High Court, sitting in Ede on 29 counts.

Report has it that the five defendants were arraigned on June 27, 2024, on 29 counts of arson, destruction of farmland, illegal possession of firearms and robbery.

The details of the offences allegedly committed by the defendants as contained in the sheet partly read, “Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (A.K.A Asemalu,) Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (A.K.A. Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye and others at large, on or about September 3, 2019, at a farm in Oloba within the Ede Judicial Division, while armed with firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil with her of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats and other domestic animals valued at about N10m, and at, or immediately before or immediately after the time of the robbery did use personal violence to the said Wasilatu Akinola and other women with her.

“Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (A.k.a Asemalu,) Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (A.k.a. Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye and others at large, on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Iloba within Ede Judicial Division willingly and unlawfully set the palace of Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, Oloba of Iloba and other buildings in Iloba town on fire.”

The offences committed were said to be contrary to Sections 402, 403A, 443, 2(1), and 249(1) of the State Criminal Law 2002.

At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, Justice Kudirat Akano granted the bail application of the defendants in the sum of N5m with two sureties each.

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The judge also said one of the two sureties must be a level 16 civil servant who has landed properties within the court jurisdiction adding that the other must be a part-two monarch.

The defendants were however unable to meet the conditions, and the vehicle of the correctional centre was observed driving them out of the court premises around 2:10 pm.

At the commencement of the day’s proceedings, Mr Abiodun Badiora, from the state Ministry of Justice, had announced an appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Bukola Atobatele appeared for the defendants.

A prosecution witness, Mustafa Waheed, while being led by his counsel, said Elegbedi assaulted him after he (Waheed) brought policemen to arrest the monarch for destroying a farm belonging to him.

Justice Akano subsequently adjourned the matter till October 16 for the continuation of the hearing.