A man identified as Apostle Adefiju Boluwaji was brought before a Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Wednesday for allegedly causing damage to property valued at N247 million.
Boluwaji, a pastor, was arrested on Saturday by officers of the state police command for allegedly committing the offence in Boluwaduro community, located in Ondo East Local Government Area. He was subsequently charged to court.
He is facing a three-count charge related to breach of public peace.
The charge read: “That you, Adefiju Boluwaji, and others at large on or about November 25, 2024, did conspire to commit a felony to wit: trespass into the possession of land situate at Omilosu via Bolorunduro within the jurisdiction of this honourable court; did conspire to commit a felony to wit: forcible entry, malicious damage to properties and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Adefiju Boluwaji, and others at large, on or about November 25, 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did wilfully and unlawfully destroy plantain, cocoa, kolanut, and palm trees valued N247,000,000.00 belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Adefiju Boluwaji and others at large on or about November 25, 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace, or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace, enter on land which is in actual and peaceable possession of Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 81 of the Criminal code Cap. 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges read against him.
The defence counsel, Oguntuwase, urged the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms, arguing the offences were bailable and that the defendant was prepared to stand trial.
But the prosecutor opposed the defendant as he told the court that the defendant had evaded arrest for months and should only be granted bail under stringent conditions.
In his ruling, the magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, granted bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, adding that each surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear an affidavit of means.
The magistrate ordered the case to be transferred to the Bolorunduro Magistrate Court, where proceedings would resume on September 15, 2025.
