An Ondo State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure on wednesday freed on bail three Ikale indigenes who were arraigned before it over a lingering land dispute involving the Okitipupa Oil Palm Company (OOPC).
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni granted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sums.
The three including 48-year old Orimisan Adelokiki, spokesperson of the Ikale Supreme Civil Rights Council (ISCRC), Bose Ogunnowo,45; and Rachel Akinrinu, 35 were freed following the request by the Ondo State Government to withdraw the two criminal charges against them.
Policemen from the State Police Command
had on May 1, 2025 arraigned the defendants on seven-count charges bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, communal war, threats to life, possession of arms, theft totaling N7 billion, and breach of public peace.
Representing the state, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Taiwo Olubodun, prayed for the withdrawal of the first two charges related to conspiracy to commit felony and cause of communal war, citing the need to reduce and ameliorate tensions in the area, which were nearing the brink of communal conflict.
Tobi Ogunleye, counsel for the complainants, informed the court that the intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other local stakeholders had helped restore peace to the region.
He indicated that the desire for reconciliation between the parties led to the withdrawal of the serious charges.
Consequently, the defendants were re-arraigned on five remaining charges, including theft, threats to life, criminal possession of charms, and breach of public peace.
Olubodun alleged that the defendants and some others at large stole fresh palm fruit bunches worth a whopping N7 billion, property of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc.
The prosecutor added that the accused persons while armed with guns and cutlasses, threaten the lives of staff and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, one Taiwo Adewole.
Olubodun futher alleged that the trio and others were armed in public without any lawful justification, thereby causing terror and panic among workers and residents alike.
He accused them of causing terror and panic among workers and residents alike by being in possession of arms and criminal charms in the public, without reasonable excuse and unlawfully assembling in a manner capable of instilling fear and disturbing public peace.
The charges, according to him, contravened Sections 383, 390(9), 80, 213(b), 69 and 70 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
He requested additional time to study the case file and prepare for trial.
In response, the defendants’ attorney, Temitope Mesewonrun, urged the court to grant bail under the most lenient terms, as all charges were bailable within the court’s jurisdiction.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the matter till June 27, 2025, for ruling on the application.
Speaking with journalists, a member of the community, Adewale Adelokiki expressed gratitude for the prompt intervention of Governor Aiyedatiwa and other elder statesmen in the region, which led to the withdrawal of charges against the community members.
He noted that the push for peace stemmed from a mutual understanding between both parties—the complainant and the defendants.
“We appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa for assistance, and he responded. The governor spoke with General Olu Bajowa (Rtd), who organized a peace meeting involving our team, the protesters, Ikale leaders, army representatives, and the governor’s representative. Several issues were discussed and resolved,
“We agreed in that meeting to reopen Ikoya Estate, which was a condition for the release of those in detention,” he said.
