The Kwara Upper Area Court in Ilorin, has granted popular advocate of Isese religion, Abdulazeez Adegbola, known as Tani Olorun a bail in the sum of N5 million.
The charges against him include criminal defamation and public disturbance.
The presiding judge, Mr. Sunday Adeniyi, ruled on the bail conditions, requiring two sureties to stand for him with a similar sum of N5 million each. These sureties must meet specific criteria: they must be dependable individuals residing within the court’s jurisdiction, and they must provide proof of having N5 million in their respective bank accounts.
One of the designated sureties must hold the position of a community leader in Ilorin, while the other must possess land with a Certificate of Occupancy properly endorsed by the government. Additionally, both sureties must be able to furnish evidence of their tax payments to the government over the last seven years.
This decision comes as the legal proceedings against Abdulazeez Adegbola, known as Tani Olorun, continue.
“The two sureties must provide evidence of having N5m in their respective bank accounts. One of the two sureties must be a community leader in Ilorin, while the other must own land with a Certificate of Occupancy properly signed by the government. The two sureties must have evidence of tax payments to the government at least in the last seven years,” he ruled.
Tani Olorun’s lead counsel, Ademola Bank, lamented that the bail was stringent, but said, “We will explore the opportunity offered by the law to meet the bail conditions.”
Isese advocate Tani Olorun and Oluwo Nla of Tede, Chief Ademola Olawoore, are currently standing trial on five counts of alleged criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, disturbance of public peace, criminal defamation of character, and intentional insult before the Upper Area Court.
The charges leveled against them are in violation of sections 97, 210, 392, and 114 of the Nigerian penal code.
Notably, while Oluwo Nla was granted bail last week Wednesday, the decision regarding Tani Olorun’s bail application was deferred until Monday. The prosecution had expressed opposition to his bail application.
The case has been adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for October 23, 2023, when further legal proceedings will take place.
