Three suspects have been dragged before an Akure Magistrates’ Court over their alleged involvement in a communal clash, threat to life and theft of N7 billion.
The defendants allegedly committed the crime around January and April 2025, at Ikoya Estate in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects identified as Orimisan Adelokiki, 48; Bose Ogunnowo, 45; and Rachel Akinrinu, 35, were brought before the court by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps.
The police prosecutor, Adebayo Sulaiman, informed the court that the defendants and others at large conspired to launch an inter-communal war, issued threats to lives and engaged in stealing.
Sulaiman, who added that the defendants unlawfully authorised and promoted a communal war targeted at staff members of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc, further alleged that the defendants and their cohorts stole fresh palm fruit bunches worth N7 billion, property of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc.
According to him, the accused persons brandished guns and cutlasses to threaten the lives of staff and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, thereby causing terror and panic among workers and residents.
Sulaiman urged the court to remand the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
But counsels to the defendants, Olugbenga Akinkuotu, A.O. Ajayi, E.O. David and Tobi Ogunleye, opposed the application for remand. They prayed the court to allow them to file a counter-affidavit.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the matter till May 14, 2025, for ruling on the application.
