Ondo self-acclaimed monarch, two chiefs remanded for breach of peace, conspiracy

An Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Akure has ordered the remand of a 67-year-old man, Adekolajo Aladeseyi, in custody, who allegedly paraded himself as the Olujare of Ijare, a traditional stool in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, without official approval.

Aside from Aladeseyi, other defendants who were arraigned before the court included, Fasore Lawrence (63), Ajidahun Abraham (50) and Adegbenro Akanle (63).

According to the Police Prosecutor, Babatunde Ajiboye, the defendants conspired and conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause public disorder.

The charge sheet reads; “That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi ‘m’ (2) Fasore Lawrence ‘m’ (3) Ajidahun Abraham ‘m’ (4) Adegbenro Akanle ‘m’and others at large on the 15th day of April, 2025 at about 1:00am 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 of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi ‘m’ (2) Fasore Lawrence ‘m’ (3) Ajidahun Abraham ‘m’ (4) Adegbenro Akanle ‘m’ 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 of Public peace by illegally and purport to install one Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chief and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi ‘m’ (2) Fasore Lawrence ‘m’ (3) Ajidahun Abraham ‘m’ (4) Adegbenro Akanle ‘m’ 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 defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful installation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace leveled against them.

Defence counsel to the defendants, Adelanke Akinrata, requested bail for the defendants, citing Sections 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 146(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

Akinrata, who described them as responsible community leaders, said they would not instigate further unrest

He, however, argued that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and pledged they would not abscond or interfere with the concluded investigation.

Chief Magistrate Jaiyeola Solomon Ogungade, however, adjourned ruling on the bail application to May 12 and ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody pending determination of the application.