ONDO, Nigeria — A Nigerian monarch, Oba Adewale Sunday Boboye, the Ajagun Ode of Ode community, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for unlawfully demolishing palm trees and food crops.
The Osi Magistrate Court in Akure North council area of Ondo state on Friday, May 12, 2023, handed down the ruling after finding him guilty of a six-count charge of felony and malicious damage.
The trial magistrate, Bukola Ojo, delivered the judgment after reviewing the evidence and testimonies presented by the police prosecutor, Sergeant Ajiboye Babatunde.
Babatunde stated that the convict and others at large had committed the malicious damage on September 20, at the Pastorate and laity of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, along Ado Ekiti Road Igoba, Akure North.
“The convict unlawfully demolished the perimeter fence of the pastorate and laity of the Church, valued at about one million naira, demolished the Palm trees and food crops valued at about five million, and demolished the signpost of the church,” Babatunde explained.
He added that upon arrest, Oba Boboye could not provide a satisfactory account to the police.
The prosecutor called four witnesses to testify in court and urged the court to punish the convict accordingly as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar acts.
However, Oba Boboye’s defense counsel, Adeola Kayode, denied the allegations and asked the court to temper justice with mercy.
In her judgment, Magistrate Ojo sentenced the monarch to varying terms of imprisonment on each count, with some having the option of paying a fine.
Additionally, the court awarded the sum of N5 million naira as compensation to the complainant for the damage caused to the perimeter fence, palm trees, and other crops.
Magistrate Ojo noted that if the convict pays the compensation, the imprisonments would be vacated. The imprisonment sentences are set to run concurrently.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the impact of the malicious damage on the church and local community.
