Three young men , Olamide Olamide (23), Festus Famadewa (22), and Awofiranye Sunday (23) , were on Thursday brought before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court on charges of trespassing on private property and threatening the landowner’s life.
The defendants, who do not have fixed addresses, are facing a three-count charge of unlawful entry, conspiracy, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
Prosecuting Inspector Adesina Elijah told the court that the incident took place on 16 July 2025 at around 12:00 p.m. in the Ilala Obaloogun area of Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Elijah said the accused persons unlawfully entered a plot of land belonging to one Olaniyan Oluwaseyi, allegedly carrying cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. He stated that the trio issued death threats to Oluwaseyi, leaving him traumatised.
The prosecutor further noted that the defendants identified themselves as members of a proscribed cult group known as the “Eye Confraternity.” He also revealed that three mobile phones, a Tecno Spark 4, a Tecno PoP 6, and a Samsung Ao5 , were recovered from the men, for which they were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation.
According to Elijah, the offences contravene Sections 86, 430, and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defence counsel, Mr Martins Awe, applied for bail, appealing to the court to grant it on lenient terms. He gave assurances that the accused would not flee.
Chief Magistrate Taofeek Badmus granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like amount. One surety must be a blood relative, while the other must own landed property valued at a minimum of N2 million within the court’s jurisdiction. Both are required to depose to an affidavit of means.
The magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre until their bail conditions are met.
The matter was adjourned until 14 August 2025 for hearing.