By Our Correspondent
A prominent monarch in Osun State, Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye has been arraigned along with nine other persons before a Magistrate Court, sitting in Ijebu-Ijesa, over alleged arson.
The other defendants include; Otukoya Arojojoye, 69, Olusonya Osunbukola, 60, Olugbenga Abudiore, 69, Atobatele Israel, 52, and Sunday Adedeji, 56.
Others are; Ariyo Kehinde, 44, Olajubu Olasanmi, 47, Sunday Ademola, 44 and Babatope Fagbulu, 64.
They were docked on seven counts bordering on arson, conspiracy, malicious damage, unlawful entering into a shrine and threat to life.
The charge sheet numbered MIT/45C/2022 read in the court alleged that the monarch and others unlawfully set on fire buildings of the proposed University of Agriculture site at Ijebu-Ijesa, Osun state, two tractors and one caterpillar truck loader, valued over N3 billion property of one Major Loye Omitunde (rtd)
It added that the defendants illegally broke into Ariyan shrine also known as 'Arugbo sacred shrine and carted away sand under it, which was used for the palace.
The charge also alleged that the defendants unlawfully cut down 5000 years old 'Akoko' tree planted in front of Oba Loye Otuko ancient palace, property of Oba Loye Otuko.
They were also said to have threatened to kill one Major Loye Omotunde with intent intimidate the victim.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Supol Joshua Oladoye, the offences are punishable under sections 516, 443, 415, 86, 451, 249 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
He added that the defendants committed the said offences between the month of January 2017 and August 2022.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against them.
Their counsels, Barrister S. Ajayi and B. Williams, in their separate oral applications, urged the court to admit the defendants to bail in most liberal terms.
Presiding Magistrate, Kike Adebayo admitted the first defendant to bail on self recognition, while the others were ordered to present before the court a titled Chief each as surety and adjourned the matter till February 6, 2023 for mention.
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