At least ten suspects were arraigned in an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on charges of conspiring to kill Oba Adeniyi John Adinlewa, the Obaloogun of Igoba Land in Ondo State.
The suspects, who were arrested by 32-year-old Tolulope Alo, aka “Asamo,” were arraigned on an eight-count charge that comprise criminal conspiracy, attempt to kill, unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace, malicious damage to property, and threats to life.
The remaining defendants are Seun Bankole (42), Kolawole Kazeem (35), Seriki Lateef (35), Bankole Tobi (25), Sunday Amigun (32), Ayodele Saka (34), Adedayo Ogidan (43), Olaoluwa Kayode (21), and Ezekiel Vincent (26).
The suspects were said to have invaded the Igoba community on October 1 and 2, 2025, and met residents at gunpoint, shot several individuals, and carted away property. LEADERSHIP learnt that Oba Adinlewa was rescued by a whisker when gunmen invaded his palace.
Police prosecutor Inspector Sulaiman Adebayo informed the court that the suspects were loaded with single-barrel guns, daggers, charms, and other offensive weapons during the attempted assassination. To put it in his own words, the gang organized themselves illegally to create fear and communal tension.
Items seized from the suspects were two barrel guns shortened to size, three live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two cutlasses, five knives, and a bulletproof jacket. They were also charged with damaging a ₦80,000 mobile phone and tomato farms valued at ₦5,000 belonging to a resident.
The crimes, the prosecutor explained, were a violation of a number of sections in Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State (2006) and the Robbery and Firearms Act (2004).
Adebayo urged the court to remand the suspects in Olokuta Correctional Centre until legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
But defense lawyer Femi Emmanuel Emodamori objected that the case was a manifestation of a land dispute between one of the defendants and the king. He requested time to file a counter-affidavit.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered the defendants to be held in police custody for a day to allow their lawyer to prepare the necessary documents before further actions.
