Tension over the vacant Olujare stool in Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State escalated on Thursday as a Chief Magistrate Court ordered the remand of a self-acclaimed monarch, Adekolajo Aladeseyi, alongside two chiefs, Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle.
The trio were arraigned for allegedly conducting an unlawful installation of Aladeseyi as monarch of the town, a move the police said could incite unrest. Police Prosecutor Babatunde Ajiboye filed a three-count charge against them, including conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and a deliberate violation of the state’s chieftaincy laws.
Despite pleading not guilty, the accused were ordered to remain in custody by Chief Magistrate Jaiyeola Solomon Ogungade, pending a ruling on their bail application set for May 12.
Ajiboye informed the court that he has seven witnesses and substantial proof of evidence to support the case. Meanwhile, the defence counsel, Mr. Adelanke Akinrata, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants on liberal terms, citing constitutional provisions that presume them innocent until proven guilty. He argued that the defendants are respected community leaders who pose no threat to the ongoing investigation, which he said has already been concluded.
However, opposition to the bail came from Chief Wemimo Olaniran, a kingmaker in Ijare. He warned that releasing the accused could spark further crisis, noting that police presence had already been deployed to maintain order. Olaniran claimed that fellow kingmakers are living in fear of attacks from supporters of the self-styled monarch and warned that granting bail could set a dangerous precedent for other contenders to unlawfully declare themselves rulers.
Magistrate Ogungade adjourned the matter for ruling on bail and ordered the continued detention of the suspects.
