On Wednesday, an Abeokuta Magistrates Court at Isàbo reportedly sentenced five Ogboni chiefs to six months imprisonment each.
The Ogboni chiefs, Anthony Ogunseye (55), Ajasa Enisemo (67), Saheed Sanusi (50), Oludotun Oliyide (60), and Fatai Mutairu (63), were convicted on a four-count charge, including conspiracy, malicious damage, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and stealing.
The trial Magistrate, Mrs E.O Ogunyemi, delivered judgment, stating that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She found the convicts guilty as charged.
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Ogunyemi ruled that the prosecution presented tenable evidence and sentenced each chief to six months imprisonment with an option of a N50,000 fine.
The prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the chiefs committed the offences on March 21, 2023, at about 12:15 p.m. at the Ogboni House in the Igbore area.
She explained that the chiefs conspired and maliciously destroyed letters from the Abeokuta South Local Government that officials had pasted on the walls, doors and windows of the Ogboni House.
The local government had sealed the Ogboni house for security reasons due to a dispute over filling a vacant chieftaincy title in the Ogboni house.
The five Ogboni members also unlawfully removed the caution tape officials had placed on the Ogboni house, conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.
“They also stole two crossed bars that were fixed on the two doors of the Ogboni Igbore house by the local government,” she said.
