Ijoko Stool: Police Slams Murder Charges On 3 Chiefs, 10 Others

Police authorities have dragged 13 people including three chiefs in Ogun State, South West Nigeria, before an Abeokuta High Court, over alleged involvement in the mayhem that led to the death of three traditional chiefs from Ijoko area of the state.

According to the three-count charge, the accused were said to have attacked the traditional ruler of Ijoko, Oba Lasisi Kolapo Ogunseye and his entourage on 27 April,  2010, shortly after the hearing of a suit on the dispute over Ijoko stool.

The accused, Chief Simon Kehinde Williams, Chief Abidemi Jimoh and Chief Fatai Alani Matanmi, were alleged to have led others who are now at large, to attack the monarch.

Alani Matanmi had filed a suit at the High Court of Ota to challenge the appointment and installation of Oba Ogunseye as the traditional ruler of Ijoko by the Olowu of Owu Kingdom.

Oba Ogunseye was installed as Ijoko monarch on 31 March, 2006.

Other accused persons are Rasaki Tijani, Lukman Matanmi, Monsuru Matanmi, Gafari Shorunke, Kayode Matanmi, Kamoru Akindele, Kunle Matanmi, Amogbon Busuyi Femi, Semiu Taiwo and Semiu Gbadamosi, who are all at large.

Those who lost their lives in the clash, according to the charge sheet, include Akibu Amodu, Chief Festus Sotinoye and Akeem Sanusi.

In count one, the accused were said to have “on 27 April, 2010, at about 1p.m. at Oju-Ore area of Sango, Ota, Ogun State, conspired to attack Oba Ogunseye and others including his lawyer, Tunji Ayanlaja (SAN).”

In count two, the accused were alleged to have kidnapped Monsuru Ogunseye a.k.a. Mosco and whisked him away to an unknown destination till date, while count three read: “That you, Chief Simon Kehinde Williams, Chief Abidemi Jimoh and Chief Fatai Alani Matanmi (now at large), Rasaki Tijani (now at large), Lukman Matanmi (now at large), Monsuru Matanmi (now at large), Gafari Shorunke (now at large), Kayode Matanmi (now at large), Kamoru Akindele (now at large), Kunle Matanmi (now at large), Amogbon Busuyi Femi (now at large), Semiu Taiwo (now at large) and Semiu Gbadamosi (now at large), on 27 April, 2010, at about 1p.m. at Oju-Ore area of Sango, Ota, Ogun State, which is within the judicial division of this court, attacked and murdered Chief Akibu Amodu, Chief Festus Sotinoye and Akeem Sanusi, who were in company of other victims of your attack, after the sitting of the High Court of Ota while going back to Ijoko and you thereby committed an offence punishable under the law.”

The allegations were said to be contrary to and punishable under Sections 324, 364 (2) and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C.38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.