83-year-old arraigned over alleged land grabbing

83-year-old arraigned over alleged land grabbing
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

Gavel used to illustrate the story
The police on Monday arraigned an 83-year-old man, Idowu Olowo, before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun over an alleged land grab.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing charges bordering on land grabbing, forcible entry, threat to life and stealing.

The prosecutor, Kehinde Ojugbele, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in 2025 at about 11:00 a.m. at Kajola, Onikanga village, Ifetedo.

He added that the defendant forcibly entered into land belonging to Ajetunmobi Adeniyi and threatened his life for the purpose of land grabbing.

According to him, the defendant, sometime in February 2025 at about 11.00 a.m. at Kajola, Onikanga village in Ifetedo, stole the farm produce, including cocoa fruits, kola nut fruits and palm kernels valued at N5 million, property of Mr Adeniyi.

The prosecutor stated that the offences contravened Sections 81, 86 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The defendant’s counsel, Sidikat Salawu, applied for the bail on liberal terms, pledging that he would not jump bail.

The magistrate, Abosede Sarumi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ms Sarumi added the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, reside within the court jurisdiction, produce a three-year tax certificate and recent passport photographs.

She ordered that the defendant be remanded at Area Commander Police Station pending the perfection of his bail.

The court adjourned the case until March 2 for further mention.

(NAN)