The police have arraigned an 83-year-old man, Idowu Olowo, before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun, over alleged land grabbing.
The defendant whose address was not provided, is facing charges bordering on land grabbing, forcible entry, threat to life and stealing.
The prosecutor, ASP Kehinde Ojugbele, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in 2025 about 11.00a.m at Kajola, Onikanga village, Ifetedo.
He added that the defendant forcibly entered into a land belonging to Ajetunmobi Adeniyi and threatened his life for the purpose of land grabbing.
According to him, the defendant sometimes in February 2025 at about 11.00a.m at Kajola, Onikanga village in Ifetedo, stole the farm produce including Cocoa fruits, kolanut fruits and palm kernel valued at N5 million, property of Adeniyi.
The prosecutor stated that the offences contravened Sections 81, 86 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol.11, Laws of Osun, 2002.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.
The defendant’s counsel, Mrs Sidikat Salawu, applied for the bail on liberal terms, pledging that he would not jump bail.
The Magistrate, Mrs Abosede Sarumi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Sarumi added the sureties must swear to affidavit of means, reside within the court jurisdiction, produce three years tax certificate and recent passport photographs.
She ordered that the defendant be remanded at Area Commander Police Station pending the perfection of his bail.
The court adjourned the case until March 2, for further mention.
