Odigbo monarch docked for damaging property

From Akinnodi Francis, Ore
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The Oloja of Ore Alaba a community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Chief Benson Akinkunmi, has been arraigned before an Odigbo Magistrates’ Court over alleged conspiracy and damages.

Akinkunmi, 65, alongside one Samuel Akinwehinmi, 40, were arrested by the police and charged with conspiracy, forcible entry, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace in the community.

According to the police prosecutor, Sergeant S. Anifowose, the accused and others at large conspired  to commit felony and damaged properties worth N1,042,000.

The accused were arraigned on six counts which contravened sections 516, 81, 249, 451, 451of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The charges read in part, “That you, Oloja Benson Akinkunmi, Samuel Akinwehinmi and others at large on February 26, 2018, at Alaba Idi Mangoro to Kajola in Ore in the Ore Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: forcible entry, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under the law.

“That you, Oloja Benson Akinkunmi, Samuel Akinwehinmi and others at large on June 5, 2019, at the same place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did willfully and unlawfully damaged three bedroom flat foundation valued at N400,000, property of one Sunday Ikuomelo. Again, that in 2017 at the same place did willfully and unlawfully damaged erected corner piece valued at N42,000, property of one Abiola Kazeem.

“That you, Oloja, Akinwehinmi and others at large on June 5, 2019 at the same place did willfully and unlawfully damaged erected six bedroom flat foundation valued at N600,000, property of one Sunday Friday. Also, that you did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcibly entering into the farmland of Orunsero family.”

But the accused pleaded not guilty to the six counts.

The prosecutor prayed the court for a date to gather his facts and present the prosecution witnesses.

However,  counsel for the defendant, Mr T. Oyinbo, who said the offence committed by the accused are bailable, prayed the court to grant his clients bail in most liable terms.

Magistrate T.J Ajayi granted the accused persons  bail in the sum of N500,000 each and two reliable sureties in a like sum.

He adjourned the case till September 27, 2019 for mentioning.