‘Prophet’ docked in Ondo over ₦247m worth of property damage

By Boye Oyeyemi –

A self-acclaimed prophet, Apostle Adefiju Boluwaji, aged 64, has been arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on allegations bordering on criminal trespass, malicious damage, and conduct likely to breach public peace.

The cleric, who had reportedly been on the watchlist of the Zone 17 Police Command, was apprehended over the weekend and transferred to the AIG’s office in Akure following his initial detention at the Bolorunduro Divisional Headquarters in Ondo East Local Government Area.

The prophet’s arrest followed an ongoing case involving his alleged co-conspirator, 80-year-old Prince Adebisi Adefusi, who is currently standing trial at the Bolorunduro Magistrates’ Court over similar allegations.

However, both men were accused of orchestrating an attack on the farmland of Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, a respected religious leader in the region.

The police prosecutor, Adebayo Sulaiman, told the court that Boluwaji and some unnamed individuals forcefully entered the disputed land at Omilosu, near Bolorunduro, on November 25, 2024, and proceeded to destroy crops worth hundreds of millions of naira.

The charge read:

“That you, Adefiju Boluwaji, and others at large on or about the 25th day of November 2024, did conspire to commit Felony to wit, trespass into the possession of land situate at Omilosu via Bolorunduro within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire to commit Felony to wit: forcible entry, malicious damage to properties and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

“That you, Adefiju Boluwaji, and others at large on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did wilfully and unlawfully destroyed Plantain, Cocoa, Colanut, and palm trees valued Two Hundred and Forty Seven Million Naira (247,000,000.00) belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

Ruling on the case, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦1m with two sureties in like sum.