‘Baale’, Others Arraigned For Allegedly Assaulting Religious Leader

The baale of Ugbonla community alongside two others have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State Capital over alleged assault and breach of peace.

The suspects are; Adebowale Ebiwanno, 46; Ojune Oduoja, 39; and Damilola Aruwayo,36 are facing a seven-count charge of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, malicious damage and breach of peace.

According to the prosecution, the trio and others at large committed the offence on April 11, 2023 at about 12pm at Ugbonla community in Ilaje local government area.

The police prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin informed the court that the defendants conspired to assault the religious leader of the community one Henry Mobolorunduro and other seven persons.

Akintimehin said that the defendants attacked the complainants with fist blows, cutlasses, sticks, broken bottles and other dangerous weapons, inflicting various injuries on their bodies.

The defendants were also alleged to have destroyed one Mitsubishi Pajero jeep with number plate LENE ll valued at N12 million, one Picnic space bus with number plate XB477GBA valued at N4millon, one unregistered Dyna truck valued at 10millon and one Qlink motorcycle valued at N270,000, total valued N26.2million belonging to the complainants.

The prosecutor added that the defendants also chased away Mobolounduro and others at where they wanted to build the community palace.

The offences contravene Sections 516, 355, 351,451and 240(d) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Defence Counsel, Oluwafemi Meduoye, applied for the bail of the accused in most liberal terms.

The Chief Magistrate, Musa Al-Yunus granted the first defendant bail in the sum of N2,000,000 with one surety in like terms and the other two defendants in the sum of N5,000,000 each with one surety in like terms.

Al-Yunus said parties should maintain peace pending the determination of the case and adjourned till July 20 for a hearing.