The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi,has been remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service(NSC) facility in Ilaro, Ogun State, over failure to meet bail conditions.
The spokesperson of NCS, Yinka Odukoya, confirmed the development to newsmen in Abeokuta, on Wednesday.
He said: “Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released.”
Persecondnews reported that a viral video showing Ogunjobi verbally and physically assaulting Areola sparked widespread condemnation.
The disturbing two-minute video captures 73-year-old Areola being forced to kneel on the road as the monarch unleashes a torrent of curses and accusations, alleging that Areola conspired against him and his family.
The suspended monarch, a retired police officer, allegedly boasted about his law enforcement connections and threatened to use his influence to have Areola imprisoned.
In a disturbing moment captured on video, one of Ogunjobi’s aides physically struck the elderly Areola and demanded that he prostrate himself before the monarch.
Following widespread condemnation,
the monarch was suspended by the Ogun State Government for six months.
Also, the Ogun State Police Command arraigned him before a Magistrates’ Court in Ifo on Tuesday, charging him with conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
As detailed in the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), Ogunjobi faced accusations of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charge reads: “That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 1100 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo Magisterial District, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcing one Areola Abraham ‘m’ to kneel down and assaulting him in public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges against him when he appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko.
The court granted him bail with two sureties, each required to provide a bond of N5 million, and mandated that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case was subsequently adjourned until March 6 for further hearing.
Commending the state government for swiftly suspending the monarch, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun State, in a statement signed by its chairman, Mr. Solomon Bankole, on Tuesday, condemned the assault and called for full prosecution.
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