Osun Monarch, Four Others Remanded Over Arson and Robbery Charges

An Osun State High Court in Ede has ordered the remand of the Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez, and four other defendants at the Ile-Ife Custodial Centre following their inability to meet the bail conditions granted by the court.

The traditional ruler, along with Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran, and Sarafadeen Abioye, is facing a 29-count charge, including arson and malicious damage of a farm in Iloba town.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Justice Kudirat Akano granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties.

The judge stipulated that one of the sureties must be a level-16 civil servant with property within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second surety must be a second-class monarch.

However, the defendants were unable to fulfill the bail requirements, resulting in their remand.

A vehicle from the correctional centre transported them out of the court premises around 2:10 pm.

The prosecution team, led by Abiodun Badiora from the state Ministry of Justice, opposed the bail, while Bukola Atobatele represented the defendants. The case was adjourned to October 16 for further hearing.

The defendants were initially arraigned on June 27, 2024, charged with arson, robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and destruction of farmland.

According to the charge sheet, Oba Muideen Azeez and his co-defendants are accused of storming a farm in Iloba on September 3, 2019, armed with firearms, and robbing Wasilatu Akinola and other women of palm oil, palm kernel, domestic animals, and other valuables worth approximately N10 million. They allegedly used personal violence during the robbery.

Additionally, the defendants are charged with setting fire to the palace of Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, the Oloba of Iloba, and other buildings in the town on the same day.

The offences violate Sections 402, 403A, 443, 2(1), and 249(1) of the Osun State Criminal Law, 2002.