Septuagenarian, Others In Court For Destroying Ataoja of Osogbo’s N1.8m Palm Trees

By Nofisat Adeoye

A 72-year old man, Suleman Akande has been arraigned by the Osun State Police Command before a Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, the State capital, for allegedly destroying Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Laroye II’s palm trees worth N1.8m.

Akande was arraigned alongside Jimoh Ajao 50, Ganiyu Adigun 50 and Jimoh Ajadi 60 on four count charges bothering on threat to life, malicious damage, forcibly entry and breach of peace.

Prosecutor, Taiwo Adegoke briefed the court that sometimes in August, 2017 at Irepodun community, the accused persons forcibly entered the land of Oba Jimoh in a manner likely to cause breach of peace and willfully damaged 18 palm trees valued N1.8m.

Adegoke explained that the accused persons also erected a foundation on the land and on the 7th of December, 2017, threatened the life of the Baale of Iredopun community, Chief Adewale Sikiru and the life of his Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Laroye II.

The Prosecutor added that the offences contravened sections 81, 86, 249(d), 430 and 516(A) of the Criminal Code Cap 34, volume II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

The accused persons, however pleaded not guilty of the offences leveled against them and their counsel, Barrister Adeyinka Dada prayed the court for their bail in the most liberal terms.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mary Awodele granted the accused persons bail of N200,000 with two sureties each and adjourned the case till the 2nd of February, 2017 for hearing.