Ondo State Government has commenced the trial of two suspects impersonating King of Igodan Lisa in Okitipupa Local Government Area and Olofun in Irele Local Government Area before the Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, the state capital.
The two monarchs were Ademola Idowu Oloworibiyi parading himself as Olofun of Irele and Adeyemi Akinde, parading himself as Olu of Igodan Lisa.
Irele Council of Chiefs also faces trial for conspiracy as Court binds over the suspected impersonators to maintain peace, pending the determination of the criminal trial
Adeyemi Akinde was arraigned on two counts Charges of conspiracy contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code and unlawful installation as Oba, wearing royal regalia of Olu of Igodan Lisa contrary to and punishable under Section 15(1) of the Chiefs law of Ondo state. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail by the trial Court.
Similarly, Ademola Idowu Oloworibiyi was arraigned on a separate charge for conspiracy under section 516 of the criminal code and unlawful installation as Olofun of Irele and so parading himself by wearing royal regalia without the approval of Ondo State Executive Council contrary to and punishable under section 15(1) of the Chiefs law of Ondo state. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by the Magistrate Court.
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In the third criminal Trial before the Court, High Chief Ebieliemi Akintola, High Chief Orukan Fadayomi, Igbekele Olajide, High Chief Oloruntusi Mesegan, High Chief Adebayo Olowoboye and High Chief Akinyesi Owoloye were arraigned for conspiring to commit a felony to wit: unlawful installation of Idowu Oloworiyibi as Olofun of Irele and installation of Oba for Irele without the approval of Ondo State Executive Council contrary to and punishable under section 15 (2) of the Chiefs law of Ondo state.
They all pleaded not guilty and elected summary trial before the Magistrate Court. The Prosecuting team led by the Attorney General did not oppose their bail as it was granted by the trial Court.
The Attorney General of Ondo state and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye in the two Irele cases, informed the Court that the Chieftaincy dispute in respect of Irele is still pending before the Court of Appeal before Ademola Oloworiyibi and others conspired together without the approval of the state Executive Council to install him as the Oba of Irele.
He urged the Court to bind over the Defendant and the Chiefs to maintain peace and not take the law into their hands pending the determination of the criminal trial.
The trial Court in his ruling directed the Defendants to keep the peace in their communities and refrain from any act that can lead to the breakdown of law order in the state.
He noted that the Court will seriously view and sanction any step that was taken that can undermine the peace of Irele and the entire state.
The Magistrate Court thereafter adjourned the cases to the 19th and 26th of October, 2022 respectively for further hearing.
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