Three suspects in court for invading palace to dethrone Osun monarch
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Three suspects have been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for alleged invasion and attempted dethronement of Alawo of Awo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrazaq Taiwo Adegboyega.
Three defendants, Adebayo Akinsilo, 40, Oloyede Babatunde, 46 and Oloyede Habib, 28 were accused of invading the palace of Oba Adegboyega and threatened to kill him.
They were dragged to court on six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony wit, unlawful invasion and breach of peace.
Police prosecutor, Idoko John, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, informed the court that the defendants invaded the palace of Alawo of Awo in Awo town on August 26, 2022 with dangerous weapons such as machetes, axes, charms while chanting war songs.
The trio were said to have conspired with others at large to forcefully dethrone the monarch.
Idoko argued that the defendants caused panic and fear to the people of Awo town and also threatened to kill the king should he fail to vacate the throne.
He said offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 42, 86, 517, 70 and 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the offences as their counsel, Kehinde Adesiyan, urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms and argued that the constitution presumes them innocent of the allegations until proven contrary.
But the police prosecutor objected to their bail application on the ground that they would commit similar offences or abuse bail if granted.
The presiding Magistrate, Adeyemoye Adeyeba having listened to both parties, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2million each with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the matter till October 12 for hearing.
