83-Year-Old Man Arraigned in Ile-Ife for Alleged Land Grabbing

An 83-year-old man, Idowu Olowo, was on Monday arraigned before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun State over alleged land grabbing and related offences.

Olowo, whose residential address was not disclosed, is facing charges of land grabbing, forcible entry, threat to life and stealing. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Kehinde Ojugbele, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences in 2025 at about 11:00 a.m. at Kajola, Onikanga village, Ifetedo.

He said the defendant forcibly entered land belonging to Ajetunmobi Adeniyi and threatened his life in connection with the alleged land grabbing.

Ojugbele further told the court that in February 2025, at about 11:00 a.m., at Kajola, Onikanga village in Ifetedo, the defendant allegedly stole farm produce, including cocoa fruits, kola nuts and palm kernels valued at N5 million, property said to belong to Adeniyi.

The prosecutor stated that the alleged offences contravened Sections 81, 86 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

Counsel to the defendant, Mrs Sidikat Salawu, applied for bail on liberal terms, assuring the court that the defendant would not abscond.

The Magistrate, Mrs Abosede Sarumi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Sarumi ruled that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and provide a three-year tax clearance certificate as well as recent passport photographs.

The magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Area Commander Police Station pending the perfection of his bail.

The case was adjourned until March 2 for further mention.