An Ondo State High Court in Akure sentenced six people to two years in prison on Monday for violence and breach of peace in the coastal community of Ayetoro in the state’s Ilaje Local Government Area.
Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, who claimed to be the spiritual leader of the community in Ondo state, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole, and Segun Okenla were the six convicts.
On January 11, 2018, they were arrested by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command in connection with the violence that erupted in the riverine community, in which people were injured and property was destroyed. They were also charged with a 10-count count of violence and breach of peace.
Mr. Babatunde Falodun, the prosecuting counsel, announced a 10-count charge against Ojagbohumi, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole, and Segun Okenla for the January 11, 2018 violence in Aiyetoro.
According to the prosecution, the convicts committed an offense in violation of Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
However, one of the convicts, George Eyekole, was charged with attempting to murder one Olu Obolo during the crisis by shooting him with a gun, in violation of Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Despite the fact that the suspects pleaded not guilty to all of the charges brought against them, the court found them guilty of malicious damage to property in violation of Section 37 of the Criminal Code and state laws.
In his decision, Justice David Kolawole found the convicts guilty of the offense and sentenced them to two years in prison with hard labor.
Eyekole was sentenced to five years in prison with hard labor for attempting to murder Obolo during the mayhem.
He did, however, offer them, with the exception of Eyekole, the option of a N50,000 fine for the offenses committed. The judge also ordered them to pay N300.000 each in property damage compensation.
Justice Kolawole stated that the convicts would be held accountable for any further breach of peace in the community and that if they chose to pay the fine, the fine would be returned if the peace accord was violated.
“If there is a breach of peace in the community and any of the convicts is charged to court, the prison term that had been suspended, through the payment of the fine, will be reinstated and the fine paid will be refunded by the government,” the judge ruled.
