The Osun State High Court has remanded a traditional ruler, the Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez, and four others in prison custody on charges of destroying agricultural land.
They were charged with 29 counts of burning and destroying farmland and crops worth N200 million.
Appearing before Justice Kudirat Akano on Wednesday alongside Oba Azeez were Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye.
The charge sheet reads that, “Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (Aka Asemalu,) Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (Aka Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye and others at large, on or about September 3, 2019, at a farm in The Oloba in Ede Judicial Division, while carrying firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and another woman who was processing palm oil with him about 70 barrels of palm oil, palm kernels, palm fruit, goats and other domestic animals worth about N10 million, and at, or immediately before or immediately after the time of the robbery, did use personal violence against the said Wasilatu Akinola and another woman who was with him.
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“Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (Aka Asemalu,) Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (Aka Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye and others at large, on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Iloba in Ede Judicial Division voluntarily and unlawfully set fire to the palace of Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, Oloba of Iloba and other buildings in Iloba town.”
The offenses committed violated Articles 402, 403A, 443, 2(1), 249(1) of the 2002 Criminal Code.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all 29 charges against them.
Dele Akintayo, of the Osun State Ministry of Justice, has announced his appearance as the prosecution, while Bukola Atobatele appears as the defense.
Defense counsel, Atobatele, while addressing the court, pleaded that his client be allowed to continue enjoying the bail granted by the Magistrates Court.
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