By ALABA OLUSOLA OKE

The Police in Ondo State on Thursday, arraigned a self-acclaimed traditional ruler, Adekolajo Aladeseyi, 67, and two others in the Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure for alleged breach of peace.

The other defendants are: Lawrence Fasore, 63, and Adegbenro Akanle, 63.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Babatunde Ajiboye, told the court that the defendants, facing a three-count charge, committed the offences on April 15, 2025 at Ijare community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

According to Ajiboye, the defendants conspired together to commit misdemeanor to wit conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

?The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

?The three defendants and others at large, on the same date, time and place at about the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace.

?They illegally, and purportedly, installed one Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chief.

?It is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

?The offence is also contrary to and punishable under Section 15(1) (2) (a) (b) of the Ondo State Chiefs Law Cap. 27 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006,? he stated.

Ajiboye said that he would present seven witnesses to prosecute the case, and asked for a date to enable him regularise the charge and present the case.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, and two counts of breach of peace

Responding, Mr. Adelanke Akinrata, the defence counsel, said that he would not object to the adjournment application, but applied for the bail of the defendants in liberal terms.

Akinrata told the court that Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, presumed the defendants to be innocent until otherwise proved by the prosecution.

He said that if the defendants were granted bail, they would not constitute a risk nor tamper with police investigation, stating that they were respectable chiefs in the community.

Justice Jayeola Ogungade adjourned the case to May 12 for ruling on the bail application.

Ogungade, therefore, ordered the remand of the defendants in police custody. (NAN)

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