Assault: Ogun monarch remanded in prison till bail conditions are met

The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to meet his bail conditions.

The spokesperson for the correctional facility, Yinka Odukoya, confirmed this Wednesday, stating that the monarch remained in custody as he had yet to perfect his bail.

Odukoya said, “Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released.”

The Ogun State Police Command had on Tuesday arraigned the suspended monarch over a viral video in which he was seen assaulting a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola.

According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the suspended monarch was accused of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The charge read: “That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 1100 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo Magisterial District, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcing one Areola Abraham ‘m’ to kneel down and assaulting him in public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”

The accused, who appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The court granted him bail with two sureties in the sum of N5m each, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to March 6 for a hearing.

A viral video showing Ogunjobi verbally and physically assaulting Areola sparked widespread condemnation.

In the two-minute footage, Areola was forced to kneel on the road while Ogunjobi berated him with curses and accused him of conspiring against him and his family.

The suspended monarch, reportedly a retired police officer, boasted about his connections within law enforcement and threatened to have Areola jailed.

At one point, one of Ogunjobi’s aides struck the elderly man and ordered him to prostrate before the monarch.

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Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun State has commended the state government for swiftly suspending the monarch.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole, on Tuesday, the group condemned the assault and called for full prosecution.

Similarly, the state Police Community Relations Committee commended both the government and the police for taking swift action to ensure justice for the victim.
The PCRC also called on the police to arrest the individual who slapped the victim.

The State PCRC Chairman, Samson Kunle Popoola, assured the public of the committee’s impartial stance on matters affecting the fundamental human rights of Ogun State residents.