By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

Three individuals have been arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court over allegations bordering on communal war, threat to life and theft amounting to a staggering N7 billion.

The trio; 48-year-old Orimisan Adelokiki, spokesperson of the Ikale Supreme Civil Rights Council (ISCRC) 45-year-old Bose Ogunnowo and 35-year-old Rachel Akinrinu were dragged before the court by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps.

The defendants were said to have committed the offences between January and April 2025 at Ikoya Estate in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

According to the police prosecutor Adebayo Sulaiman, the defendants and others still at large conspired to launch an inter-communal war, issued threats to lives and engaged in stealing.

Sulaiman told the court that the defendants unlawfully authorised and promoted a communal war targeted at staff members of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc.

He alleged further that the defendants and their cohorts stole fresh palm fruit bunches worth a whopping N7 billion, property of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc.

The prosecutor added that the accused persons brandished guns and cutlasses to threaten the lives of staff and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company one Taiwo Adewole.

Sulaiman didn’t stop there. He also alleged that the trio and others went armed in public without any lawful justification thereby causing terror and panic among workers and residents alike.

He accused them of being in possession of criminal charms without reasonable excuse and unlawfully assembling in a manner capable of instilling fear and disturbing public peace.

The charges, according to him, contravene Sections 516, 42, 383, 390(9), 80, 213(b), 69 and 70 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The defendants however pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against them.

Sulaiman thereafter urged the court to remand the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

But counsel to the defendants Olugbenga Akinkuotu, A.O. Ajayi, E.O. David and Tobi Ogunleye vehemently opposed the application for remand and prayed the court to allow them file a counter-affidavit.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the matter till May 14, 2025 for ruling on the application.