Associates of the suspended Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Oba Semiu Adewale Ogunjobi, who is currently standing trial for allegedly assaulting a 73-year-old man, have raised concerns over what they perceive as foul play in the prolonged remand of the monarch at the Correctional Centre in Ilaro, Ogun State.
Oba Ogunjobi, 43, was arrested and arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ifo on Monday, February 3, 2025.
The Ogun State Police Command charged him with three counts of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, in connection with an alleged attack on Abraham Areola, a 73-year-old man.
On Tuesday, February 4, Magistrate F.A. Iroko granted the monarch bail under the condition of N5 million and two sureties in like sum, both of whom must reside within Ifo.
However, the monarch’s associates allege that despite efforts to fulfill the bail conditions, the process was obstructed by police officials and a prominent politician within the Ifo area, leading to the continued detention of Oba Ogunjobi.
Speaking to newsmen on Friday, close associates of the monarch, who requested anonymity, denied claims by the state’s correctional facilities spokesperson, Yinka Odukoya, that the monarch was unable to meet the bail conditions.
According to the associates, the process to perfect the bail was deliberately frustrated by the Police Prosecutor Inspection Officer handling the case.
They claim that the interference was part of a grand scheme to keep the traditional ruler in detention indefinitely, even after his suspension by the Ogun State Government and the Egba Traditional Council.
“They deliberately made it difficult for us to meet the bail conditions, despite our best efforts.
The intention is to keep the monarch in the Correctional Centre, beyond the suspension,” one of the associates revealed.
The suspended traditional ruler’s trial has been adjourned until March 6, 2025, with his legal team asserting that all necessary steps were taken to fulfill the bail requirements.
However, the monarch remains in custody.
In a charge sheet, numbered MH2b8c/2025, Oba Ogunjobi has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which are punishable under Section 249(d) of the Ogun State Criminal Code Law, 2006.
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