On Friday, September 9, the Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, issued arrest warrants for two people who had been impersonating traditional rulers in the southern towns of Irele and Igodan Lisa.
The court ordered the Commissioner of Police to summon the accused before the court after Charles Titiloye, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for Ondo State, requested it.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had directed the accused’ arrest and prosecution last week.
Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi was charged with a crime punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo state for allegedly plotting with others who are still at large to unlawfully usurp the Chieftaincy title of Olofun of Irele. The Attorney General filed No. MAK/423C/2022 to the Chief Magistrate Court in Oke Eda, Akure.
Oloworiyibi was accused of allowing himself to be installed and representing himself as Olofun of Irele while functioning 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.
In a second accusation with the number MAK/424C/2022, Adeyemi Akinde was accused of conspiring and being installed unlawfully as the Olu of Igodan Lisa in violation of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State.
The two suspects’ trial was suspended since they did not show up in court.
The Commissioner of Police was ordered by the trial’s magistrate, F. A. Aduroja, to detain them and bring them in on the next postponed date.
After that, the case was adjourned to September 19, 2022.