The Ogun State Police Command has brought charges against the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Olukayode, in a Magistrate Court in Owode-Egba for allegedly defrauding Michael Adeyemi of N75 million and assaulting a police officer.
Oba Olukayode faces four counts, including felony, fraudulent conversion, and assault.
Reports from June indicated that community leaders from Agboro, Latunde, Olorode, Agbelu, Odedola, Akero, and Sagalu accused the monarch of forcibly seizing over 500 hectares of land from their communities.
The leaders claimed that on December 24, 2023, armed individuals invaded their areas, clearing their lands and destroying crops, including kola nut, cocoa, and cassava.
They also reported damage to their only water source and access to the Sagalu Muslim School.
According to police prosecutor Inspector Fatai Moronkole, the incidents occurred between September 18 and 20, 2024, in Obafemi.
It was alleged that Oba Olukayode collected N75 million from Adeyemi under the pretense of selling 500 acres of land but failed to fulfill the agreement.
The monarch is also accused of assaulting a police officer who came to investigate the matter.
The charges detail that Oba Olukayode, along with others still at large, is accused of obtaining N75 million from Adeyemi under false pretenses, as well as unlawfully converting the funds for personal use.
He is also charged with assaulting an ASP during the attempted arrest, damaging the officer’s glasses in the process.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate M.O. Somefun, who granted him bail set at N10 million, with two sureties of equal value.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on November 25, 2024.
