On Monday, drama broke out on the grounds of an Osun State High Court in Ede when Nigeria Police Force officers detained Oba Muideen Azeez, the Elegbedi of Egbedi, a traditional ruler in the state.
The monarch had appeared before Justice Kudirat Akano on suspicion of arson prior to the arrest.
Alongside Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran, and Sarafadeen Abioye, the royal father made an appearance before the court.
The defendants were alleged to have, among other offences, on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Iloba within the Ede Judicial Division, while armed with firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil with her of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats and other domestic animals valued at about N10m.
During Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel, M. Atobatele, called four witnesses, including three police operatives and the palace secretary.
While being led in examination-in-chief, one of the police operatives, Assistant Superintendent of Police Akindosu Olusoji, who said he served at the Ido-Osun Police Division between 2019 and 2021, told the court that it was the monarch who had called to complain that someone destroyed his farm, adding that the alleged perpetrators were arrested.
“I and one other officer visited the area in Egbedi. At the farm, I met a pastor and some other labourers using chemicals in a spraying machine to spray the maize crops on the farm and I asked who he was and he said he was the owner of the farm.
“I asked why he was destroying it if he was the owner. So, I got him and the labourers arrested. I obtained their statements and they were detained, and I continued with the investigation. I never arrested any of the defendants. They were the ones who came to complain,” he told the court.
Justice Akano, in her ruling, adjourned the matter till June 17 for continuation of hearing.
But shortly after the session, police operatives arrested the royal father within the court premises and whisked him away.
When contacted for clarification on the incident, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest, saying the operatives executed a court order and remand warrant.
Ojelabi said, “The officers acted strictly based on a court order. There was an arrest and remand warrant issued by a court.
“He was arrested and remanded in the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre based on a court order.”
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