Islamic clerics arraigned over alleged assault on minors in Ondo
By Boye Oyeyemi –
The Akure Magistrate’s Court arraigned two Islamic clerics on Thursday, over the alleged assault of two minors in Owo, Ondo State.
The defendants, Oladejo Musiliu, 35, and Adebodun Muyideen, 30, are facing three counts bordering on assault and causing grievous harm to Adeagbo Abdullahi, 12, and Kazeem Quoyyum, 15.
The prosecution alleged that the incident occurred on January 21, 2026, opposite Achievers University, Owo, where the minors were reportedly flogged with a hot cutlass and cane.
One of the victims, 15, told the court that the trouble started after he bought a mobile phone for N14,000, paid N3,000 upfront, and owed N11,000, using money allegedly obtained from suspected internet fraudsters. He admitted removing a SIM card belonging to one of the clerics without permission because he could not afford one, adding that the discovery of the SIM in his phone sparked the assault.
The charge sheet stated that the defendants inflicted physical injuries on the minors, contrary to Section 3(3)(a) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021, as well as Sections 355 and 335 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.
Prosecutor T.O. Gbadebo of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps described the alleged act as inhumane and sought an adjournment to assemble witnesses, while defence counsel Bolade Abimbola prayed the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
Magistrate Temitope Alphonso granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with one surety in like sum, ordering their remand at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending perfection of bail.
The court also directed that the minors be returned to an orphanage in Oba-Ile until their parents prove their ability to care for them and adjourned the case till April 9, 2026, for further hearing.
