Court orders arrest of two Ondo ‘monarchs’ for impersonation

A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has ordered the State Commissioner of Police to arrest and produce two traditional rulers parading themselves as monarchs in their communities for impersonation.

The Court further directed the Police Commissioner to produce the two suspected impersonators in court for the commencement of a criminal trial against them.

The court said the two suspected impersonators have been parading themselves as Oba in Irele and Igodan Lisa in the southern part of Ondo State.

The court gave the order sequel to the application by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Ondo State, Sir Charles Titiloye

Earlier last week, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute the said suspects.

In Charge No MAK/423C/2022 filed by the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice before the Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Oke Eda, Akure, Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi was accused of conspiring with others now at large to unlawfully assume the Chieftaincy title of Olofun of Irele contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State.

Oloworiyibi was also accused of permitting himself to be installed and parading himself in royal regalia as Olofun of Irele without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council and in contravention of sections 15(1) and (2) of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State.

Similarly, in a separate Charge No. MAK/424C/2022 ADEYEMI AKINDE was accused of conspiracy and unlawful installation as the Olu of Igodan Lisa in contravention of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State.

The trial of the two suspects was stalled due to their absence in Court on Friday.

The trial Magistrate, F. A. Aduroja directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest and produce them on the next adjourned date. The case was thereafter adjourned to September 19, 2022.

The State government, while speaking through the State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said: “Some persons have been parading themselves as Olofun of Irele in Irele Local Government and Olu of Igodanlisa in Okitipupa Local Government Area without the approval of the State Executive Council.

“The State Executive Council has decided that such persons be arrested and investigated for their infractions against the State Chieftaincy Law.”