The Elegbedi of Egbedi in Osun State, Oba Muideen Azeez, along with four other co-defendants, were remanded in the Ile-Ife custodial facility on Thursday after failing to meet the bail conditions set by the court.
The group is facing a 29-count charge, including arson and malicious damage to a farm in Iloba town.
The other defendants, Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran, and Sarafadeen Abioye, were arraigned alongside the monarch at an Osun State High Court, sitting in Ede.
All five defendants were initially charged on June 27, 2024, for offences ranging from arson, destruction of farmland, illegal possession of firearms, and robbery.
The court documents revealed that the allegations against the defendants stem from an incident on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Oloba, within the Ede Judicial Division.
The charge sheet detailed how “Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (A.k.a Asemalu), Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (A.k.a. Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye, and others at large, on or about September 3, 2019, at a farm in Oloba…while armed with firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil with her of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernels, palm fruits, goats, and other domestic animals valued at about N10 million, and at, or immediately before or after the time of the robbery, used personal violence against the said Wasilatu Akinola and other women with her.”
The defendants are also accused of setting several structures ablaze in Iloba town.
The charge sheet continues, “Oba Muideen Olanivi Azeez (A.k.a Asemalu), Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo (A.k.a. Kola Isah), Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye, and others at large, on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Iloba…willingly and unlawfully set the palace of Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, Oloba of Iloba, and other buildings in Iloba town on fire.”
The charges brought against the defendants violate Sections 402, 403A, 443, 2(1), and 249(1) of the State Criminal Law of 2002.
At Thursday’s hearing, Justice Kudirat Akano granted the accused bail set at N5 million each, requiring two sureties per defendant.
The judge specified 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 recognized part-two monarch.
However, the defendants were unable to meet these bail conditions, and a correctional service vehicle was seen taking them from the court premises around 2:10 p.m.
At the start of the day’s proceedings, the prosecution, represented by Mr. Abiodun Badiora from the Osun State Ministry of Justice, and the defence, represented by Mr. Bukola Atobatele, announced their appearances.
During the hearing, a key prosecution witness, Mustafa Waheed, testified that the monarch, Oba Azeez, physically assaulted him after he brought law enforcement officers to arrest the monarch for allegedly destroying his farm.
Justice Akano has adjourned the case until October 16 for the continuation of the trial.
