Court remands traditional ruler in prison along with four others
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A court has remanded a traditional ruler in prison who failed to meet his bail conditions in a case involving alleged destruction of N200 million farm crops – a rare treatment of a member of one of the exclusive classes of unelected Nigerians who are not accountable and are above the law in nearly all respects.
Besides, monarchs North and South wield a lot of influence by collecting money and other favours to confer dubious chieftaincy titles on corrupt persons in order to polish the image of criminals, thereby aiding and abetting lawlessness in society.
Muideen Azeez, the Elegbedi of Egbedi in Osun and four others, were on Thursday held in Ife correctional centre because they could not perfect their bail terms.
Justice Kudirat Akano of the state High Court in Ede remanded Azeez along with Akibu Abioye, Yisa Akolapi, Rasidi Ayandiran, and Sarafadeen Abioye, all of whom are charged with 29 counts of arson, destruction of farmland, illegal possession of firearms, and robbery.
Abiodun Badiora from the state Ministry of Justice announced appearance for the prosecution and Bukola Atobatele appeared for the defence.
The accused were granted bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties each who must be Grade Level 16 civil servants and own landed property in the state.
The accused were taken away at by officers of the correctional centre after failing to meet the deadline for the perfection of their bail.
One of the four witnesses called during the hearing on Thursday, Mustafa Waheed, recounted to the court how he was attacked by Azeez with a machete after destroying his farmland in Iloba in the presence of security agents.
The court adjourned the case until October 16 for continuation of hearing.
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