Court jails Ondo Monarch for contempt and falsehood in land controversy

August 8, 2024.

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Ondo State magistrate court has sentenced Baale of Ebute Ipare Community, Francis Ogundeji, to three years imprisonment for non-compliance to court ruling.

The judgement was delivered by Senior Magistrate E. Manuwa at the State Chief Magistrates Court in Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area.

The YorubaTimes was informed that Mr Ogundeji and Ikuejamoye Thomas sold a land in the community against the court order in 2022, which made them appear in court.

However, it was gathered that the state High Court, sitting in Okitipupa and a magistrates court, Igbokoda, had restrained people from selling the land, but the traditional ruler, in collaboration with Mr Thomas, went ahead and sold the land.

The defendants, already convicted, were further charged with falsifying documents by altering the date on the land sale receipt.

A four-count charge, comprising contempt of court and falsehood, was brought against them. The charges were read in English and interpreted into Yoruba, ensuring the defendants comprehended the allegations, as confirmed by the court.

According to the judgment, “That you, Francis Ogundeji, ‘M’, a farmer (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas, ‘M,’ a pensioner and others at large, sometime in the month of November 2022 at about 12 p.m. at Ebute Ipare Community in the Igbokoda Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit an offence to wit contempt of court and thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006,” the charge sheet read.

“That you, Francis Ogundeji, ‘M’, a farmer (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas, ‘M’, a pensioner and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did disrespect the order of the court delivered on 10 April 2019 in Suit No: HOK/51/2018 by selling Ebute Ipare Ogunowo descendant land and thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 133 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Francis Ogundeji, ‘M’, a farmer (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas, ‘M’, a pensioner and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did forge the land receipt of Ebute Ipare Community Ogunowo descendant land by backdating the receipt of sales to read month of November 2022 instead of 16 April 2017, knowing same to be false and thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Francis Ogundeji, ‘M’, a farmer (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas, ‘M’, a pensioner and other at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did disrespect the court order delivered on the 11 September 2018 in Suit No: MKD/3M/2018 which was presided by His Worship E.A Manuwa Magistrate Grade I as then was on the rank, over the tussle of land committee of Ebute Ipare Community and thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 133 (1 & 9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006,” the charge sheet further read.

The judge found both Ogundeji and Thomas guilty of the offenses and were sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with the option of a fine of N150,000 each.

However, But the court discharged and acquitted Mr Thomas on counts one, two and four.

“The first defendant, Ogundeji Francis, is hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment on count one or pay the sum of N30,000.00 to the purse of the state government as fine.

“The first defendant Ogundeji Francis is also sentenced to three months imprisonment or pay the sum of N30,000.00. The second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the offence in count two.

“In count three, both the first and second defendants are sentenced to three years imprisonment each or pay a fine of N150,000.00 each to the purse of the state government.

“The first defendant Ogundeji Francis is also sentenced to three months imprisonment or pay the sum of N30,000.00 to the purse of the state government. The second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the offence in count four.”