Ondo Court Sentences Monarch to Three Years Imprisonment
An Ondo State Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Igbokoda has sentenced the Baale of Ebute Ipare Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, Francis Ogundeji, to three years imprisonment over contempt of Court.
The Baale was standing trial on four count charges including contempt of court and falsehood.
Delivering the judgement, Magistrate E.A Manuwa, said Ogundeji and one Ikuejamoye Thomas were charged with sale of land in the community in November 2022, against a court order.
The state High Court sitting in Okitipupa and a magistrates’ court in Igbokoda had restrained people from selling the land but the traditional ruler, in collaboration with Thomas, defied the court order and sold the land in question.
They were also charged with perjury, as they backdated the receipt of the sold land.
The magistrate found Ogundeji and Thomas guilty of the offence in count three and sentenced them to three years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N150,000 each.
However, the court discharged and acquitted Thomas on counts one, two, and four.
