Ogun: Family demands justice over withdrawal of criminal case against Itoku Chiefs

The sudden withdrawal of criminal case filed against some Itoku Chiefs in Abeokuta South local government area of Ogun State has generated a strong reaction from the Balogun family of Oke -Itoku Abeokuta.

ValidviewNetwork reports that last year, the Ogun State command of Nigeria Police arraigned Kehinde Sofenwa and one other at an Isabo Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing roofing sheet and planks.

Also arraigned alongside Chief Kehinde Sofenwa, who is the Baatun of Egbaland is one Seyi Onifade.

They were alleged to have stolen roofing sheet and planks worth two million and five hundred thousand Naira (N2,500,000), property of Waheed Balogun family and kept the same in their personal house.

But in a sudden twist to the case, the Balogun family in Ogun state expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of the court case involving alleged stealing and destruction of their ancestral building in Oke Itoku area of Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to a statement signed by Waheed Balogun for the family, the case which was filed against one Seyi Onifade and Kehinde Sofenwa, was allegedly withdrawn by the State Counsel without the family’s knowledge or consent.

The family alleged that the defendants, who are chiefs in the Itoku Traditional Council, had conspired with the police prosecutor to subvert justice.

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The family claimed that the defendants had demolished their ancestral building and sold the roofing sheets and planks, with the remaining materials recovered by the police as exhibits.

They stated that despite the Chief Judge of Ogun State ordering the re-arrest of the defendants for proper prosecution, the case was withdrawn, leaving the family feeling embittered and denied justice.

The statement reads “We express our sincere regret for the action taken by the office of the Attorney General and Honourable Commissioner for Justice withdraw our case in the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Isabo, Abeokuta on charge number, MA/3470/3004; Commissioner of Police vs Seyi Onifade and 1 other at large (Kehinde Sofeawa).

“As a matter of fact, when the prosecuting Police Officer was observed to have compromised with the defendants in the case and get the matter struck out; we complained to various quarters and the Chief Judge of Ogun State Honourable Justice M.A. Dipeolu ordered re-arrest of the defendants for proper prosecution and advised us to report him to the Commissioner of Police for appropriate action, if we so wish.

“We however solicit for the assistance of the State Counsel through our letter dated 22 July, 2024 for proper prosecution of the case and get the matter upon which a State Counsel – Barrister Shuaib was attending the Court for the prosecution of the case.

“To our surprise, the State Counsel came to the Court on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025 to announce the withdrawal of the case without the knowledge of our family members that are the complainants.

“We are highly embarrassed and regarded it as a total act of injustice for people that are utilizing their positions as Chiefs in Itoku Traditional Council to deliberately in the day light commissioned a carpenter to remove the roofing sheets and planks of our ancient family building in Oke Itoku, demolished the building with intention to forcefully take possession of the land in the name of the council; as they have been practising to many innocent people in the town to sell their properties and fraudulently converted the money to their personal use.

“We reported the case to the Police and it was confirmed that they have sold part of the roofing sheets to Hausa people and fraudulently converted the money. The remaining iron roofing sheets and planks were recovered by Police in the residence of Seyi Onifade as exhibits by Police. Hence, the matter was charged to Court.

“The concerned people have earlier conspired with the Police Prosecutor to subvert justice by getting the case struck-out on the 16th February, 2024 and we made persistent efforts to fight for our rights before the matter was re-enlisted on the directive of the Chief Justice of Ogun State.

“The purpose of the withdrawal of the case by the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is unknown to us and unacceptable; as we are fully determined to ensure justice on the case with the support and cooperation of the media and human rights organization including relevant Agencies in Nigeria and Abroad”.