The traditional Emese Court in Ooni’s palace, Ile-Ife has banished a suspected notorious criminal in Erefe Community, Ife South West Local Council Development of the state, one Olawumi Adeleye, popularly referred to as Tompolo from the community and its environs. The suspect, who was said to be an ex-convict and had served two jail terms were handed the banishment verdict, on Tuesday for various criminal activities. The verdict was given in the presence of his mother, Mary Olawumi.
The leader of the Erefe Community, Pa Adereti Akintilo had alleged that Tompolo was diabolical and had been a bad influence to youths in the community, saying he had raped, robbed and involved in disruption of peace in the area, hence the resolve of the community to banish him. A police source at the Emese court confirmed that the accused person had committed the alleged crimes and had served jailed term twice and after his return to the community had refused to turn a new leaf.
Mrs Beatrice Aderogba, a resident of the community at the trial of the accused person said in view of the influence Adeleye had on the youths of the community because of his magical powers, some parents had relocated their wards, from the community, so as not to be enrolled in Adeleye’s gang. At the trial in Emese Court, the accused person admitted all the allegation levelled against him, as her mother who hailed from Omu-Aran in Kwara State cried throughout the proceeding.
OSUN DEFENDER was informed that the father of the accused person had died several years ago, but the care of the accused and his siblings had since been in the custody of his mother. It was revealed that the accused person was known to be a herbalist who uses magical power to commit crimes and go away with it.
Subsequently, the accused person was asked to renounce his power at Emese’s court and was given 48 hours to leave the community or face the wrath of the people. While fielding questions from the medium, a source at the court said Emese court is the most revered court of the ancient city where cases of magical or diabolical charms are settled. He said the accused had been stripped of all his diabolical power, saying since he had appeared at Emese court, he could no longer operate like before.
The source also disclosed, that if he turns a new leaf, he can still be integrated back to the community, saying, the judgment was to make him repent.
