Court Remands Monarch, One Other For Allegedly Spreading Rumour Against Ooni

 

By Sodiq Lawal

An Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Friday remanded a traditional ruler, Oba Adeoye Adefarakan, 63, and one Abidemi Olukanmi, 18, for allegedly spreading rumours against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Christian Olajide, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometimes in November, 2017 in Ile-Ife.

Olajide said that the accused conspired between themselves to commit felony, to wit, “publication of false news that caused fear and alarm and deformation of character.”

He said the accused also chanted and sang songs causing hatred, ridicule, spreading rumour and negative report against the Ooni.

According to the prosecutor, the actions of the accused affected the reputation of Ogunwusi and exposed him to ridicule.

Olajide added that the song caused fear and alarm for members of the public and breached public peace in Ife.

He said the offence contravened sections 59, 374, 375 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

The Defence Counsel, Mr. Edmund Birilomoni, applied for bail for the accused, pledging that his clients would not jump bail and that they would produce reliable sureties.

However, the magistrate, Mrs. Adenike Olowolagba, refused the accused bail but advised the counsel to come with written application for the consideration of bail.

Olowolagba ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody, pending the consideration of their bail.

She adjourned the case to February 23rd, 2018 for hearing.