Ondo: Chief Magistrate Court Orders Remand Of Self Imposed Monarch, Two Chiefs

By Ayodele Oni

Adekolajo Aladeseyi, who was parading himself as the Oba-elect of Ijare, and two chiefs, Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle, were, on Thursday ordered to be remanded in custody by  a Chief Magistrate Court, Ondo State.

This followed their alleged role in the installation of a monarch without official approval, a move that sparked unrest in Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area.

They were arraigned by the Police for, allegedly, conducting an illegal installation of Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare, a first class traditional stool currently declared vacant.

The prosecution said their actions were likely to incite a breach of peace and violated the State’s  Chieftaincy Laws.

They were ordered to be remanded pending further hearing. The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Jayeola, who adjourned the case to Monday, May 12, 2025.

According to the charge sheet, the accused persons and others still at large, allegedly conspired in the early hours of April 15, 2025, around 1:00 a.m., in Ijare town, to commit a misdemeanor by engaging in conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, an offence punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

In a second count, the defendants were accused of conducting themselves in a disorderly manner by unlawfully and falsely installing Adekolajo Aladeseye as the Olujare of Ijare without the authorization of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs.

This, according to the prosecution, also constitutes conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, contrary to Section 249 (d) of the same law.

The state police command had earlier announced the arrest of the accused persons on the order of the state government.

The stool of the Olujare, a first-class monarch, had been vacant since the demise of Oba Adebamigbe Oluwagbemigun, Kokotiri II, four years ago.

Some kingmakers in the town and the royal family had kicked against the installation, alleging that they were never part of the selection process as required by law.