Ekiti court arraigns sexagenarian over alleged N20m property damage, land grabbing

By Boye Oyeyemi

A 65-year-old man, Abdulrahman Sanusi, has been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court in Ekiti State over alleged land grabbing, breach of peace and malicious damage to property valued at N20 million.

The prosecutor, ASP Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on May 1, 2026, within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District.

Oriyomi alleged that Sanusi unlawfully entered an uncompleted building on a parcel of land reportedly in the possession of Olayinka Fasola, conduct said to be capable of causing a breach of peace.

He further accused the defendant of damaging the property, allegedly valued at N20 million and belonging to the late Madam Funmilayo Fasola, before forcefully taking over the land being managed by Olayinka.

The prosecutor said the charges were brought under Sections 65 and 354 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021, and Section 2(2) of the Ekiti State Property Protection (Anti-Land Grabbing) Law, 2020, as amended.

Counsel for the defendant, Dr. Sunday Ochayi, applied for bail, assuring the court that his client would comply with the conditions and would not abscond.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, granted Sanusi bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The court adjourned the case until November 24, 2026, for further hearing.