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Tag: Oyo state High Court

  • Oyo monarch to appear before court over death of six-month-old baby

    Oyo monarch to appear before court over death of six-month-old baby

    An Oyo State High Court sitting in Saki has ordered a monarch, the Ajoriwin of Irawo, Oba Musiliudeen Olalere to appear before it on June 17, 2025 in a suit filed against him and others over alleged involvement in the death of a six- month- old baby, Azeem Wahab.

    The king is the third defendant in the case instituted by one Alfa Hamzat Wahab, a business man.

    Dr. Lukman Akanbi is representing the 1st and 2nd Defendants while Mr Remi Alli Esq. is the prosecutor holding the fiat of the Attorney General of the State.

    Before the case was moved from Ibadan to Saki, the defendant, through his counsel, Mr Lateef Adedigba Esq had said he was unable to show up in court because he was indisposed but other defendants in the case were in court.

    According to the charge sheet marked HSK/7C/2017, the offences levelled against the defendants are murder and arson.

    At the sitting of the court last Tuesday,  Justice M. O. Oladejo, ordered the monarch and other defendants to appear before it on June 17, 2025.

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    About two months ago, the father of the baby had cried out to all stakeholders in the judiciary to help him avenge the gruesome killing of his baby.

    He said: “The defendants had in 2015, around 12noon, attacked him in his house. They came to attack me with machetes, charms and other dangerous weapons. The wounds are still on my head.

    “They used pestle to hit my eye, that’s when I fell unconscious. They also attacked my apprentice, Moshood with machete.

    “Bleeding profusely, one of the defendants ordered that they should go and throw us into Ofiki River but thank God the police came on time to rescue us and take us to their station and from there to the hospital.

    “I’m calling on President Tinubu, the AGF, judiciary and the police to help me avenge the death of my six month old baby who died after one of the thugs snatched him from his mother’s back and angrily smashed him to the ground. The baby died as a result of the trauma he suffered. I have the death certificate as my proof.

    “We have been crying for justice since 2015 when the incident occurred. Please, all Nigerians should come to my rescue so that these people will not go away with the atrocities they committed against me and my family.”

    “Ten years have gone by now and we are yet to get judgment. That’s why I cried out to all Nigerians so that I don’t suffer in vain. Please, don’t let my baby die just like that.

    “Don’t let this king use his throne to oppress me. I want the judiciary to help me expedite actions on this issue. I have been coming to court since that time and we are still waiting for judgment till now.”

  • Court revokes monarch’s co-defendants’ bail

    Court revokes monarch’s co-defendants’ bail

    An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has revoked a bail granted to Chief Sunday Aderinto and Adejare Adeleru, two of the defendants standing trial along with Oba Solomon Akinola, the Oloko of Oko, in a case of alleged land grabbing and attempted murder.

    Other defendants in the case are Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiyu, Samson Ogunmola, Zacheus Adeleru, Kamorudeen Ajibade, Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan, Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.

    Justice Kareem Adedokun revoked the bail of the two defendants after he was informed by the prosecutor, Mr Isa AbdulAzeez, that the duo were among those that launched fresh attack on Aagba community on April 5.

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    The judge said bail could be revoked when a defendant facing trial committed a fresh offence.

    He thereby ordered the two defendants to be remanded at Agodi correctional facility.

    Justice Adedokun issued a bench warrant on Aderinto, the fourth defendant, Akintaro, the fifth defendant, Ganiyu, the six defendant, Ogunmola, the seventh defendant, Adeleru, the ninth defendant and Adio, the 15th defendant for their absence in court.

    The court said Akintaro, popularly called Paimo, who had been constantly absent from court proceedings on the excuse of being mentally unstable, must be brought to court on the next adjourned date, May 13, either dead or alive.

    AbdulAzeez had told the court that a fresh attack was launched on Aagba village, which led to the burning down of no fewer than nines houses, including the house of Baale of Aagba, Chief Adesola Ajiboye.

    He said the incident claimed the life of a 70-year-old woman, Madam Rachael Bamidele, adding that properties were also destroyed.

    Defence counsel Hakeem Sabana said he was not aware of the fresh attack, noting that he was no longer representing the first, second, third and seventh defendants.

    The Baale of Aagba, Chief Adesola Ajiboye, who is an eyewitness and a victim of the fresh attack, told the court that his house, belongings and car were burnt.

  • You have case to answer, court tells Oyo monarch

    You have case to answer, court tells Oyo monarch

    Justice Kareem Adedokun of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has said the Oloko of Oko in Surulere local government area, Oba Solomon Akintola, and 14 others have case to answer in a case of attempted murder and land grabbing against them.

    Adedokun in his ruling on Wednesday dismissed the application on no case submission filed by the defendants.

    The Judge said that the application on no case submission of the defendants lacks merit.

    He said: “The prosecution has been able to establish various facts through the different witnesses who were the victims in the matter.

    “Also, the witnesses were able to identify all the defendants as perpetrators of the offences.

    “Therefore, the no case submission filed by the defense counsel has no merit and same is dismissed.”

    He adjourned the suit until April 14 for the defense to open their case.

    The Nation reports that the defense counsel, Mr L.A. Hammed had prayed the court to declare his clients have no case to answer because the prosecution had proven no case against them.

    The 14 others standing trial with Akinola include; Chief Sunday Aderinto, Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiu and Adejare Adeleru.

    Other defendants are; Samson Ogunmola Zachiaus Adeleru, Kamorudeen Ajibade, Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.

    The defendants have pleaded not guilty  to a 27-count charge bordering on alleged attempted murder, assault, robbery, stealing and land grabbing.

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    The people of Aagba kingdom in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State and Tropical Culture Limited had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) about the invasion of the 5,000 hectares of land by the defendants in 2021.

    Subsequently the I-G sent police officers to investigate the matter and found out that there was truely an invasion and notified the Attorney-General of Federation.

    The AGF subsequently directed the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to takeover the prosecution of the matter in 2023.

    The Supreme Court in 2020 awarded ownership of the over 5,000 hectares of land to the people of Aagba kingdom and Tropical Culture Limited.

  • Court returns ‘Auxiliary’ file to CJ for reassignment

    Court returns ‘Auxiliary’ file to CJ for reassignment

    Justice O. A. Adetujoye of Fiat Court 5, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, has ordered that a case file involving a former Chairman, Disciplinary Committee of the Park Management System (PMS), Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary be transferred to the state Chief Judge for reassignment to another court.

    The matter with suit number I/74c/2024 was between the State Versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) and was scheduled for hearing on Monday.

    But, the Judged resolved to return the case to the CJ as a result of the failure of the counsels to agree if the court should take the two different cases before it involving the defendant.

    The defendant, Mukaila Lamidi was present in court on Monday. He is facing trial on 17 count charge bothering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, possession of firearm, including, one AK-47 assault rifle, two SMG riffle with magazine.

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    The Nation reports that the defendant has three separate criminal charges pending against him before the High Court of Oyo State.

    Two of such charges are before my Justice Adetujoye. The first one relates to the alleged criminal offences that took place at the residence of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on May 29, 2020 with suit number I/74c/2024. It was scheduled for hearing on Monday, but could not proceed.

    The second charge has to do with alleged criminal offences that took place in Igbora during the campaign leading to 2023 general elections.

  • Court charges Ajimobi, three others with contempt

    An Oyo State High Court holden in Oyo town yesterday charged the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, with contempt.

    Also charged alongside the governor are the Oyo State Government, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, and the state’s Attorney General.

    The ruling was delivered at Court 1, presided over by Justice Iyabo Yerima, on Thursday.

    The subject of the litigation bothers on the revocation of contract awarded to Rahvet International Limited by the Oyo State Government for the construction of a 10,000 metric tonne 4 bin silos projects situated on Oyo-Awe Road, by Awe junction, Oyo town.

    The projects currently stand at about 85 per cent completion.

    In a case with suit number HOY/06/2019 between Rahvet International Limited (the claimant/applicant) and Governor of Oyo State, the Oyo State government, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development and state Attorney General as the first, second, third and fourth defendants/respondents respectively, the claimant (Rahvet Int’l Ltd) had filed an application by way of motion exparte for two interim injunctions from the court, which were granted.

    The court in a ruling dated 9th April had restrained both the claimant and the defendants from going to the project site or doing any kind of work on the site pending the determination of the legality of the contract’s termination by the government.

    The motion ex-parte, as sought by the claimant and granted by the court, was an “interim injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their assignees, officials, commissioners, permanent secretaries, agents, servants, privies or otherwise howsoever from forcibly taking over and breaking into the project site of the 10,000 metric tons 4 bin silos project situated at Oyo-Awe Road, by Awe junction, Oyo town pending the determination of the interlocutory application.

    “Interim injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their assignees, officials, commissioners, permanent secretaries, agents, servants, privies or otherwise howsoever from tampering with or in any way dealing with any or all of the equipment stored by the Applicant within the premises of the project site of the 10,000 metric tons 4 bin silos project situated at Oyo-Awe Road, by Awe junction, Oyo town or in any way attempting to install the equipment without the active and direct participation and main involvement of the Claimant and its Technical partners, that is, the Chinese equipment manufacturers, China National Heavy Machine Corporation (CHMC) pending the determination of the interlocutory application.”

    During proceedings, counsel to the claimants, Mr Bode Elemide, told the court that he was surprised that the defendants could “deliberately, callously, maliciously and flagrantly flout the order of the Court”, just a day after the judgment by breaking into the project site and replacing the padlock.

    He further told the court the names of some prominent personalities and top government functionaries who were part of the team that ‘invaded’ the project site to perform certain fetish ceremonies, adding that filing the contempt proceeding was in accordance with Order 42 Rules 9 and 10 of the Oyo State High Court (Civil Procedures) Rules, 2010.

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    Responding, Counsel to all the defendants, Mr Nojeem Abiola, a deputy director with the state ministry of justice denied knowledge of the incident, adding that he was not informed or carried along by the defendants.

    He said he could also not ascertain the true position of the claimants on the invasion and disobedience of the court order before the Thursday court session.

    Before giving the ruling, Justice Yerima noted that the court does not pry its eyes into the affairs of the other arms of government, wondering why any arm of government should disobey a court order.

    She also expressed shock that the Counsel to the defendants could stand to defend the defendants when he should actually defend the integrity of the profession by encouraging that the court order be adhered to.

    She later ruled that the case be adjourned to May 14 for hearing on why the defendants should not be committed to prison for flouting the April 9thcourt order.

  • UPDATED: Witness’ absence stalls Akala’s N11.5b fraud trial

    The trial of the former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, and two others for alleged fraud was on Wednesday, adjourned to May 2, 2019 due to absence of the prosecution witness who was to give evidence in support of the 11-count charge preferred against the accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Olalekan Owolabi of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, granted the EFCC’s request after its counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi, told the court that the second witness, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, who is also the current head operations in the commission’s Port Harcourt zonal office, was unable to make it to the court.

    The former governor is standing trial alongside the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters during his tenure, Hosea Agboola and an Ibadan-based businessman, Femi Babalola.

    The charge against them borders on conspiracy, awarding a contract without budgetary provision, obtaining by false pretence, acquiring property with money derived from an illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property, among others.

    Among the offences, according to the information on the court papers, was a road contract worth N8.5bn, which Alao-Akala awarded between 2007 and 2009 to Pentagon Engineering Services, Babalola’s company, allegedly without budgetary provision.

    The said contract was executed on behalf of the 33 local governments in the state.

    Also in the charge is the allegation the former governor ordered the supply of drilling machines on behalf of the 33 local governments in the state to the tune of N3.5bn.

    Apart from the allegation of conspiring with Agboola to withdraw N2.9bn from the Oyo State Local Government Joint Account, the anti-graft agency is equally prosecuting the former governor for allegedly illegally acquiring some property on Old Bodija road, off Rotimi Williams road, when he was in office.

    The offences were said to contravene Section 22 (4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and Section 1 (18) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act.

    The case was originally filed in 2011 and has witnessed series of adjournments due to the volume of evidences and witnesses prepared to reinforce the prosecution’s argument.

    Though, the court was to continue with the trial on Wednesday that could not happen since the witness billed for cross-examination was not present.

    Dr. Ubi told the court that the witness was unable to attend the proceeding because he was involved in election duties.

    “My lord the reason our witness is not in court today is because he is involved in the election processes in Rivers State,” he said, praying the court for another date.

    Counsel to the first and third defendants, Hakeem Afolabi (SAN), and his counterpart holding the brief of the second defendant, Richard Ogunwole (SAN), did not oppose the prayer.

    The presiding judge then adjourned the matter to May 2, 2019 for continuation of trial as he ordered the prosecution to make its witnesses available at the next date.

  • March 22 for report of settlement on UI school’s hijab crisis

    Justice Laniran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court 9 in Ibadan, the state capital, has fixed March 22 for the report of settlement in a suit filed by parents of some female Muslim pupils of the University of Ibadan International School Ibadan (ISI) over denial to use the hijab, the veil.

    Parents of some Muslim pupils at ISI had sued the school management for alleged violation of the fundamental human right of their wards by disallowing them to wear hijab on their school uniform.

    The Muslim parents, who filed the suit on behalf of their children, are: Taofeek Yekinni, Idris Badiru, Sikiru Babarinde, Muideen Akerele, Abdurrahman Balogun and nine others.

    Also joined as respondents in the suit are: the University of Ibadan (UI), the school’s head teacher, Mrs Phebean Olowe and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), UI, who doubles as the Chairman of the Board of Governors in the school, Prof Yinka Aderinto.

    The claimants prayed the court to declare that the continuous denial of the authority of ISI to allow the female Muslim pupils wear hijab on their school uniform was wrong and unconstitutional.

    Justice Akintola fixed the date yesterday after noting the steps taken by parties, on the advice given to them at the previous sitting by the judge, to try to settle the matter out of court.

    He said: “We should all salvage the situation together. I am sure the matter can be amicably resolved.

    “The matter is adjourned till March 22 for the report of settlement and mention.”

    Counsel to the claimants, Dr Abdulwahab Egbewole (SAN), told the court that the parties had been trying to meet to see how the matter could be settled out of court.

    Egbewole averred that the parties agreed to meet after yesterday’s court sitting.

    Counsel to the first and fourth respondents, Mrs Oluwatobi Ola, and other respondents’ counsel confirmed the position of the claimants’ counsel.

  • EFCC re-arraigns Alao-Akala, two others over alleged fraud

    EFCC re-arraigns Alao-Akala, two others over alleged fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, and two others in an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan over alleged N11.5 billion fraud.

    According to reports the other defendants are a former Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Sen. Hosea Agboola, and an Ibadan-based businessman, Femi Babalola.

    The defendants are facing an 11-count charge of conspiracy, awarding contract without budgetary provision, obtaining by false pretence, acquiring property with money derived from illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property, among others.

    EFCC’s counsel, Dr B. Ubi, told the court that when Alao-Akala was the governor of Oyo State, he awarded a road contract worth N8.5 billion between 2007 and 2009 to Pentagon Engineering Services.

    Ubi alleged that the firm owned by Babalola handled the contract on behalf of the 33 local governments without budgetary provision.

    The counsel further claimed that Alao-Akala ordered the supply of drilling machines on behalf of the 33 local governments in the state to the tune of N3.5 billion.

    He also alleged that Alao-Akala conspired with Ayoola to withdraw N2.9 billion from Oyo State Local Government Joint Account.

    The prosecutor told the court that Alao-Akala also illegally acquired some property on Old Bodija road, off Rotimi Williams road, when he was the governor of the state.

    He said that the offences contravened Section 22 (4) of the Corrupt Practices and  Other Related Offences Act and Section 1 (18) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Mr Hakeem Afolabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to Alao-Akala and Babaloa prayed the court to exercise its discretion in granting bail to the defendants.

    Afolabi said that the charge before the court was not a fresh one but a re-arraignment.

    He said the matter was first filed on Oct. 11, 2011,  before Justice Moshood Abas and bail was granted after  the defendants met the conditions.

    It would be recalled that the defendants had also appeared before Justice Akintunde Boade  and  Justice Bayo Taiwo who was recently transferred out of Ibadan Division.

    Afolabi said  that Alao-Akala was granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in  like sum while the other defendants were granted bail in the sum of N3 million each with two sureties in like sum.

    Afolabi urged the court to allow the defendants to enjoy the earlier bail condition granted to the defendants.

    Mr Richard Ogunwole, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to Ayoola, aligned with the submission of Alao-Akala’s counsel.

    The EFC counsel said he would not oppose the bail applications.

    Justice Muniru Owolabi granted the defendants’ prayers and adjourned the case till April 16 for trial.

    NAN

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  • Olubadan throne tussle: Court fixes Feb.12 for hearing

    Olubadan throne tussle: Court fixes Feb.12 for hearing

    An Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, has fixed February 12  for hearing on a suit filed by Chief Adebayo Oyediji, challenging the installation of Oba Saliu Adetunji, as the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    Oyediji of Seriki chieftaincy line and three others, were challenging the installation of Adetunji by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    The other claimants in the suit were Chief Olalekan Fakunle, Chief Rasheed Abinupagun and Chief Gabriel Amao.

    Justice Moshood Abass on Wednesday fixed February 12 for hearing of the suit after the claimants’ counsel, Mr Sarafadeen Adebayo informed the court that all processes needed in prosecuting the case had been filed by both parties.

    Abass ordered that hearing notices be served on the counsel to the respondents because they were not present in court on Wednesday.

    The claimants’ counsel, Adebayo, had earlier informed the court that the counsel to Olubadan, Mr Michael Lana and Oyo State Government’s counsel, Mr Adegboyega Salawu were trying to delay the matter.

    He said that the respondents’ counsel were present in court on the last adjourned date of Dec. 15, 2017, where Jan.10 was agreed for  the closing of the Pre-Trial Conference (PTC).

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    The claimants are claiming that it was the turn of Seriki chieftaincy line to produce the next Olubadan after the death of Oba Samuel Lana, against the appointment of Adetunji by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

    The claimants are also challenging the consistent occupation of the Olubadan throne by the Olubadan chieftaincy line and Balogun chieftaincy lines while excluding the Seriki line.

    It would be recalled that the claimant’s counsel, Adebayo, had told the court that there was a subsisting court ruling restraining the occupation of any vacant position of high chiefs and that of Olubadan.

    The other respondents in the suit were the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Oyo State Government.

    NAN

  • Court sentences husband killer to seven years imprisonment

    Court sentences husband killer to seven years imprisonment

    Oyo State High Court 1, Ringroad, Ibadan, has sentenced an accused husband killer, Yewande Oyediran, to seven years imprisonment for finding her guilty of the death of her husband.

    The term is to run from the day of her arrest.

    The court which held that although, evidences showed that she was responsible for the death of her husband, none of the witnesses was about to establish the intent of the accused or described seeing her commit the crime.

    It however noted that the killing was done without intent going by the fact that the couple were married at the time of the incident.

    The accused was alleged to have stabbed her late husband, Lowo Oyediran, on February 2, 2016 at their number 30, Adeniyi Layout, Abidi-odan, Akobo, Ibadan residence, following a misunderstanding that broke out late in the night

    Yewande was arraigned on a lone count charge of allegedly killing her husband with knife.

    The offence is said to be contrary to Section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the laws of Oyo State.

    The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge when the count was read to her in court.

    The Court presided over by Chief Justice Muntar Abimbola who earlier apologised to the court for deferring the judgement initially slated for Friday, said other official engagement at the Nigerian Judicial Commission necessitated the postponement of the judgement till Monday

    Noting that the incident was a fall out of a spontaneous fight between the couple, the court said none of the witnesses was able to establish the case of intent in the incident that led to the injury that caused the death.

    Justifying the reason for the sentence, the judge maintained that there was no need for a second attack on the deceased as given by the oral evidences of the witnesses.

    According to the judge, the witnesses had told the court that there had been an initial attacked where Yewande was said to have stabbed the late husband with scissors but that the matter was settled before the one that led to the death of the deceased couples of hours later.
    Details later……