Ogun Monarch Handed Six-Months Jail Term For Impersonation

The Osolo of Ado-Odo in Ogun State, Muftau Dosunmu, has been sentenced to six months in prison for presenting himself as an Oba by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta.

Osun Defender gathered that the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, upgraded the Osolo title, which is one of the high chiefs in Ado-Odo, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, and 74 others to a coronet Oba.

But the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun has reversed the upgrade of all 75 Obas.

The state government said they should stop parading themselves as traditional rulers, but the monarchs claimed they had secured a high court judgment against the state.

In his case, the Osolo was dragged to court for alleged impersonation and disturbance of peace within the Ado-Odo magisterial district.

He was accused of violating Section 23(2)(c) of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State by parading himself as an Oba, donning regalia and a beaded crown, despite lacking the rightful title.

Also, Dosunmu was said to have installed one Alabi Afizu as Babaloja of Ado-Odo in March 2022, contravening Section 249(1)(d) of the Criminal Code Law.

He was additionally charged for instructing a town crier to announce movement restrictions due to spiritual rites between April 2022 and August 2022, leading to charges under Section 249(1)(d) and 200 of the Criminal Code Law.

Another count stated that Dosunmu identified himself as the Olofin of Ado-Odo and paraded himself as the Osolo of Ado-Odo, a kingmaker, between April 2022 and July 2023.

According to the prosecution counsel, Adebayo Adesanya, the actions were punishable offences under Section 249(1)(d) and punishable under Section 249(3) of the Criminal Code Law.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate E. O. Idowu declared that Dosunmu was found guilty of six counts and sentenced him to six months imprisonment.

“The convict is sentenced to one-month imprisonment on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th counts of the charge, with an option of a fine of up N50,000 on each count for which he has been convicted. The sentences shall run consecutively from today, 28th November 2023,” the court ruled.