Ondo court arraigns 75-year-old man over alleged forgery, contempt

By Boye Oyeyemi

A 75-year-old man, Folorunsho Afolabi, was on Monday arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged contempt of court, forgery and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

In court, the prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the accused allegedly violated a judgment delivered in Suit No. AK/92/2013 by selling a parcel of land covered by the court’s decision despite the ruling being against him.

Akintimehin also alleged that the defendant forged an Aule community receipt in connection with the sale of a plot of land to one Sunday Peter without the approval of the principal members of the community.

According to the prosecution, the defendant’s actions were capable of causing a breach of the peace and contravened relevant provisions of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Meanwhile, Afolabj pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge after it was read to him before the court.

As a result, his defense counsel, Wale Awofade, urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, assuring the court that he would not obstruct the trial.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Sunday Adedapo granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦750,000 with one surety in like sum. The court also ordered that the surety must reside within its jurisdiction, present a valid means of identification and have his address verified.

The magistrate thereafter adjourned the case until July 20, 2026, for further hearing.