Court remand man in prison for crowning himself king in Ondo without approval

An Ondo State Magistrate’s Court has remanded the self-style Olujare of Ijare, Adekolajo Aladeseyi, in prison custody for installing himself as king without getting authorisation from the state government.

Two of his chiefs – Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle – who participated in the inauguration were also remanded.

They were accused of engaging in acts capable of instigating crisis in Ijare community in the Ifedore Local Government Area of the state

The Olujare royal stool has been vacant since 2021 and the royal houses have been at war over who becomes the next Olujare.

Three counts bordering on conduct likely to cause breach of peace and deliberate flouting the chief law of the state were preferred against them

The charges read, “That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the 15th day of April, 2025 at Ijare town within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court did conspire together to commit misdemeanour to wit; conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State ,Nigeria, 2006.”

“That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence, Adegbenro Akanle 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 public peace by illegally and purport to install one Adekolajo Aladese as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chief and thereby committed an offense contrary to punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence, Ajidahun, Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned Magisterial district did install or purport to install Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval by the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs and thereby committed an offense 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.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the prosecutor, Babatunde Ajiboye, informed the court that he will present seven witnesses to testify

Counsel for the defendants, Mr Adelanke Akinrata, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants in liberal terms and assured the court that the defendants would not jump bail.

Akinrata said the accused would not tamper with the investigation, adding that they were responsible chiefs who would not plunge the community into crisis.

One of the kingmakers in Ijare, Chief Wemimo Olaniran, warned that the community would be plunge into crisis if the court granted bail to the accused person.

He said kingmakers in the community were living in fear of being attacked by hoodlums loyal to the defendants.

Wemimo said other princes would also install themselves as king.

Presiding Magistrate, Solomon Ogungade, remanded the defendants in custody and adjourned ruling on the bail application till May 12, 2025.