Court remands man over alleged case of loitering in Ondo State

By Boye Oyeyemi

An Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a man, David Ogbanji, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over an alleged offence of loitering.

Ogbanji was arraigned by operatives of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps on a one-count charge. The prosecution counsel, T.T. Samuel, told the court that the offence was committed on March 13, 2026, around 11:00 p.m. at the Ilu-Abo area of the state.

Samuel alleged that the defendant was found loitering under circumstances that indicated a possible intention to commit an unlawful act, adding that the offence contravenes Section 250(6) of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.

In response, the defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Responding via an argument, the counsel to the defendant, O.O. Oladapo, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, assuring that he would not jump bail and would present credible sureties.

In his ruling, the Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, directing the sureties to swear affidavits of means, provide two passport photographs each, and present evidence of gainful employment.

He also ordered that the addresses of the sureties to be verified by the court registrar and orderly.

Subsequently, the magistrate transferred the case to Court Magistrate Court 3, New Complex, Akure, and adjourned the matter till April 23, 2026, for re-arraignment. The defendant was eventually remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre after failing to meet the bail conditions.