Four arraigned over alleged attack on Ekiti monarch

By Boye Oyeyemi

Four men were arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court over their alleged involvement in an attempted attack on the Ọlọja-Ọwa of Ọwatẹdo-Ekiti, Oba Engr. David Olofinlade, and the destruction of his Lexus RX 350 SUV valued at N25million.

The defendants, Makanju Olawale, 40; Ajibola Dada, 34; Olaoye Dada, 27; and Moyinoluwa Ewe, 25, are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were arraigned before the court.

According to the charge marked MAD/758/2026, the alleged offences were committed on June 23, 2026, at Ipoti-Ekiti in the Ipoti-Ekiti Magisterial District and are said to contravene the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor, ASP Oriyomi Akinwale, urged the court to treat the case with seriousness, arguing that the alleged offences had the potential to disrupt public peace and security within the community.

Akinwale further alleged that some of the defendants had previously been linked to a similar case in 2020, urging the court to ensure justice was served to discourage similar acts.

Responding, the defence counsel, Kayode Opeyemi, opposed the prosecution’s submission, insisting that the defendants remained innocent until proven guilty. He urged the court to grant them bail, saying they had no record of criminal conduct.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted each defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each and adjourned the case until August 6, 2026, for further hearing.