Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, the suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to meet his bail conditions.
The spokesperson for the correctional facility, Yinka Odukoya, confirmed this to Chronicle NG on Wednesday, noting that the monarch remained in detention as he had yet to meet his bail conditions.
Odukoya stated, “Yes, he is in our custody, which indicates he was unable to meet the bail requirements set by the court yesterday. However, once he does, he will be released.”
The suspended monarch was charged by the Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday after a viral video showed him attacking a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola.
According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), Oba Ogunjobi was accused of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charge read: “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 appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko and pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against him.
The court granted him bail with two sureties in the sum of N5 million each, who must live within the court’s jurisdiction.
Oba Ogunjobi’s case has been adjourned for a hearing on March 6.
A viral video of Ogunjobi verbally and physically beating Areola drew considerable attention.
In the two-minute film, Areola is made to kneel on the road while Ogunjobi abuses him and accuses him of scheming against him and his family.
The suspended monarch, who is said to be a retired police officer, boasted about his law enforcement contacts and threatened Areola with jail time.
At one point, one of Ogunjobi’s assistants hit the elderly man and ordered him to prostrate before the monarch.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun State has praised the state government for acting quickly to suspend the monarch.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole, on Tuesday, the group condemned the assault and demanded full prosecution.
Similarly, the state Police Community Relations Committee congratulated both the government and the police for taking prompt measures to ensure justice for the victim.
The PCRC also called on the police to arrest the man who smacked the victim.
Samson Kunle Popoola, the State PCRC Chairman, promised the public that the committee will remain impartial on issues impacting Ogun State residents’ fundamental human rights.
