Ile-ife: The police have arraigned an 83-year-old man, Idowu Olowo, before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun over alleged land grabbing. The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing charges related to land grabbing, forcible entry, threat to life, and stealing.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the prosecutor, ASP Kehinde Ojugbele, informed the court that the defendant committed the offenses sometimes in 2025 at about 11.00 a.m. at Kajola, Onikanga village, Ifetedo. The defendant is accused of forcibly entering land belonging to Ajetunmobi Adeniyi and threatening his life with the intention of land grabbing. Furthermore, the defendant allegedly stole farm produce, including cocoa fruits, kolanut fruits, and palm kernel valued at N5 million, which belonged to Adeniyi.
The prosecutor stated that the offenses contravened Sections 81, 86, and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol.11, Laws of Osun, 2002. Despite the charges, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
The defendant’s counsel, Mrs. Sidikat Salawu, requested bail on liberal terms, assuring the court that the defendant would not evade the judicial process. Magistrate Mrs. Abosede Sarumi granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum. She stipulated that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and provide three years of tax certificates along with recent passport photographs. Until the bail conditions are met, the defendant is to be remanded at the Area Commander Police Station.