Self-Proclaimed Chief, 5 Others Receive 2-Year Jail Term Over Communal Crisis

Akure, Ondo State– An Ondo State High Court in Akure has sentenced six people  to two years imprisonment for their involvement in violence and breach of peace in the coastal community of Ayetoro, in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

The six convicts, Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, who claimed to be the traditional ruler and spiritual leader of the community, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole and Segun Okenla, were sentenced on Monday, December 18, 2023.

They were arrested by the police on January 11, 2018, over the violence that erupted in the riverine community where people were injured and property destroyed. They were also charged to court on a 10-count bordering on violence and breach of peace.

At the beginning of the trial, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Babatunde Falodun, slammed a 10-count charge against Ojagbohumi, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole and Segun Okenla over the violence that erupted in Aiyetoro on January 11, 2018.

According to the prosecution, the offence committed by the convicts was contrary to Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

However, one of the convicts, George Eyekole, was charged with an attempt to murder one Olu Obolo by shooting him with a gun during the crisis, contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Though the suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them, the court convicted them of malicious damage of property contrary to Section 37 of the Criminal Code, laws of the state.

Delivering his judgment, Justice David Kolawole found the convicts guilty of the offence and sentenced them to two years with hard labour.

The judge specifically sentenced Eyekole to five years in prison with hard labour for the attempted murder of Obolo during the mayhem.

He, however, gave them, except Eyekole, an option of a fine of N50,000, for the offences committed. The judge also asked them to pay N300.000 each as compensation for the damaged property.

Justice Kolawole said the convicts would be held responsible for any further breach of peace in the community and if they opted to pay the fine and the fine would be returned in case of violation of the peace accord.

“If there is a breach of peace in the community and any of the convicts is charged to court, the prison term that had been suspended, through the payment of the fine, will be reinstated and the fine paid will be refunded by the government,” the judge ruled.