Three men in court for alleged invasion of Monarch’s palace in Osun

By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo

For the alleged invasion of Alawo of Awo’s Palace and possession of dangerous weapons in Osun state, three men were on Wednesday arraigned before an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The trio include Adebayo Mutiu, 40; Sikiru Oloyede, 46, and Habib Oloyede, 28 were arraigned by the Osun state police command.

Prosecutor, ASP John Idoko, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on August 26, at about 10:00 a.m., at Awo Palace, Osun.

ASP Idoko said the defendants conspired among themselves with others now at large to breach the peace of the Awo town, by chanting war songs and also promoting inter-communal conflict.

“They invaded the palace of Awo with intent to dethrone the Alawo of Awo, Oba Abdulrazaq Adeboye, by threatening to kill him.

“They were wielded with dangerous weapons which left some residents of Awo town in a panic mode and fearful,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 516, 42, 86, 70, and 249( d) of the criminal code cap 34 vol.11, laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendants are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, breach of the public peace, unlawful possession of dangerous weapons, and threat to kill a monarch.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Kehinde Adesiyan, prayed the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Adeyeba, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in the like sum.

Adeyeba said, one of the sureties must be a prominent member of Awo town and added that the sureties must provide tax payments and affidavits of means.

The case was adjourned till October 12 for mention.