The Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Friday issued warrants of arrest and directed the Commissioner of Police to produce in court two suspects who had been parading themselves as Oba in Irele and Igodanlisa, in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Adeyemi Akinde and Ademola Idowu Oloworibiyi, were alleged to have been parading themselves as traditional rulers in the two communities.
These were contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kola Adeniyi, who also said the order of the court was made following the application of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Ondo State, Mr Charles Titiloye.
The statement partly read, “In Charge No. MAK/423C/2022 filed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice before the Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Oke Eda, Akure, Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi was accused of conspiring with others now at large to unlawfully assume the chieftaincy title of Olofun of Irele, contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State.
“Oloworiyibi was also accused of permitting himself to be installed and parading himself in royal regalia as Olofun of Irele without the approval of Ondo State Executive Council and in contravention of Section 15(1) and (2) of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State. Similarly, in a separate Charge No. MAK/424C/2022, Adeyemi Akinde was accused of conspiracy and unlawful installation as the Olu of Igodanlisa in contravention of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State.
“The trial of the two suspects was stalled because of their absence in court today (Friday). The magistrate directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest and produce them on the next adjourned date. The case was thereafter adjourned to September 19, 2022.”