An Ondo State Magistrate Court has remanded Olujare of Ijare, Oba Adekolajo Aladeseyi, to prison custody for installing himself as king without getting authorisation from the state government.
Two of his chiefs; Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle, who participated in the inauguration were also remanded.
They were accused of engaging in acts capable of instigating crisis in Ijare community, Ifedore local government area of the state
The Olujare royal stool has been vacant since 2021 and the royal houses have been at war over who becomes the next Olujare.
A three-count charge of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and deliberate flouting the chief law of the state were preferred against them.
According to the charges, “That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the 15th day of April, 2025 at about 1:00 am at Ijare town within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court did conspire together to commit misdemeanor to wit conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State ,Nigeria, 2006.”
“That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence, Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the same date, time and place at about the aforementioned Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach Public peace by illegally and purport to install one Adekolajo Aladese as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chief and thereby committed an offense contrary to punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence, Ajidahun, Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned Magisterial district did install or purport to install Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval by the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 15(1) (2) (a) (b) of the Ondo State Chiefs Law Cap. 27 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and the prosecutor, Babatunde Ajiboye, informed the court that he will present seven witnesses to testify
Counsel to the defendants, Mr Adelanke Akinrata, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants in liberal terms and assured the court that the defendants would not jump bail.
Akinrata said the accused persons would not tamper with the investigation, adding that they were responsible chiefs who would not plunge the community into crisis.
One of the kingmakers in Ijare, Chief Wemimo Olaniran, warned that the community would be plunge into crisis if the court granted bail to the accused person.
He said kingmakers in the community were living in fear of being attacked by hoodlums loyal to the defedants.
Chief Wemimo said other princes would also install themselves as king.
Presiding Magistrate, Solomon Ogungade, remanded the defendants to custody and adjourned ruling on the bail application to May 12, 2025.
The Nation
