Just In: Ondo Court remands ‘Monarch’ for installing self without Govt’s approval

A self-proclaimed Monarch, Prince Adekolajo Aladeseyi who allegedly installed himself as the Olujare of Ijare in Ifedore government area, who was arrested yesterday, has been arraigned before Ondo state Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure.


He was docked alongside four other persons who allegedly participated in the illegal installation few weeks ago in April, 2025.

The self-styled monarch, Adekolajo and two chiefs; Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle were on Thursday ordered to be remanded in custody on the order of the Court for instigating crisis in Ijare.

Aladeseyi and others were arraigned before the court by the Police.


The charges preferred against the suspects by the Police Prosecutor, Babatunde Ajiboye accused the suspects of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and deliberately flouting the chief law of the state.

Aladeseyi had been arrested on wednesday alongside four other persons from the community who participated in what was described by the police and the Ondo state government as illegal and fraudulent installation.

The charge read “That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence and Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the 15th day of April, 2025 at about 1:00 am at Ijare town within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court did conspire together to commit misdemeanor to wit conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State ,Nigeria, 2006.”


“That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence, Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the same date, time and place at about the aforementioned Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach Public peace by illegally and purport to install one Adekolajo Aladese as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council of Chief and thereby committed an offense contrary to punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.


“That you Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Fasore Lawrence, Ajidahun, Adegbenro Akanle and others at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned Magisterial district did install or purport to install Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare without the approval by the Ondo State Executive Council of Chiefs and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 15(1) (2) (a) (b) of the Ondo State Chiefs Law Cap. 27 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against them before the Magistrate Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Jaiyeola Solomon Ogungade.


The prosecutor said he has seven witnesses to present as witnesses. He also has proof of evidence to be presented during the trial.

But the lead counsel to the suspects, Mr Adelanke Akinrata asked the court to grant bail to them in liberal terms. He said the application is premised on section 36 sub 5 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

According to him, the defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty according to Section 146 sub 1 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL). Akinrata said the essence of bail is to ensure the presence and guarantee of the accused to stand trial before the court. He assured the court to ensure the availability of the suspects during trial.


Akinrata added that the accused would not tamper with the investigation which had long been concluded, saying they are responsible chiefs in the community who would not plunge the community into crisis.

However, a chief in the town, Chief Wemimo Olaniran said there would be a crisis in the town if the accused persons were granted bail by the court. He said there was a detachment of police to maintain peace in the town over the obaship crisis.

Olaniran, a kingmaker in the town said his colleagues are living in fear of being attacked by hoodlums loyal to the self-styled monarch. He said granting him bail would lead to impunity as other princes in the town would install themselves as monarchs of the community.


Chief Magistrate Ogungade however adjourned the ruling on the bail application to Monday May 12, 2025.

He remanded the suspects in the police custody pending the determination of the application.