A factional leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Tolulope Alo, alias Asamo, and nine others have been arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attempting to kill the Obaloogun of Igoba land, Oba Adeniyi John Adinlewa.
The accused persons, aged between 21 and 43, are facing an eight-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms, illegal assembly, breach of public peace, malicious damage, and threats to life.
The other defendants are Seun Bankole (42), Kolawole Kazeem (35), Seriki Lateef (35), Bankole Tobi (25), Sunday Amigun (32), Ayodele Saka (34), Adedayo Ogidan (43), Olaoluwa Kayode (21), and Ezekiel Vincent (26).
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly stormed Igoba community between October 1 and 2, 2025, attacking residents at gunpoint, looting properties, and injuring several people.
The monarch reportedly escaped unhurt when the attackers invaded his palace.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Sulaiman Adebayo, told the court that the suspects, armed with single-barrel guns, daggers, charms, and other weapons, attempted to murder the traditional ruler at his residence.
Adebayo said the group unlawfully assembled to instill fear among residents and ignite a communal clash against the monarch.
He added that police recovered two cut-to-size barrel guns, three live cartridges, two expended shells, two cutlasses, five knives, and a bulletproof vest from the defendants. They were also accused of destroying a Teno mobile phone worth ₦80,000 and damaging tomato crops valued at ₦5,000 belonging to one Mrs. Arowolo Joy.
The offences, he said, contravened Sections 516, 320, 332, 251, 42, and 71 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, and Section 5 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap 174, Vol. 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Defence counsel, Femi Emodamori, however, opposed the remand request, arguing that the case arose from a land dispute involving one of the accused and the monarch.
He further claimed that his clients never made any confessional statements to the police.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered that the defendants be kept in police custody for 24 hours to allow their counsel file a counter-affidavit.
He later directed that they be transferred to the Olokuta Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till October 10, 2025, for hearing on the remand application.