An Osun State Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo has sentenced a 31-year-old man, Rotimi Orowole, to three years imprisonment with hard labour for falsely accusing a former Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Dr. Alhassan Ogunleye, of plotting assassinations.
Orowole had claimed that Ogunleye hired him to kill the institution’s then Rector, Dr. John Edaogbogun, its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olofu Romanus, and another official, Mr. Elkanah Aruwajoye.
His allegations led to Ogunleye’s arrest by officers of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at his residence in Osogbo on June 2, 2019.
The court heard that Ogunleye was taken to Lagos, where Orowole accused him of providing a pump-action gun for the supposed assassination plot.
However, after investigations, the police found no evidence linking Ogunleye to the claims, and the case was transferred to Osun State.
Following further police inquiries, Orowole was charged with conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, false accusation, and criminal defamation.
Prosecutor Abiodun Badiora, representing the Osun State Ministry of Justice, argued that Orowole and his alleged accomplices deliberately framed Ogunleye.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Oyindamola Daramola found Orowole guilty on three charges—illegal possession of firearms, false accusation, and defamation.
While noting that he had no prior criminal record, she emphasized the seriousness of his actions.
For possession of firearms, Orowole was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour, with an option of a N50,000 fine. On the charge of false accusation, he received another two-year jail term with hard labour, also with a N50,000 fine option.
For criminal defamation, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour, with the possibility of a N50,000 fine.
The court ruled that all sentences will run concurrently, starting from March 18, 2025.
