Six persons were given two-year prison terms by an Ondo State High Court, which was convening in Akure on Monday, for acts of violence and disturbance of the peace in the state’s coastal village of Ayetoro, which is part of the Ilaje Local Government Area.
Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, who identified himself as the community’s spiritual head, was one of the six prisoners. The other five were Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole, and Segun Okenla.
On January 11, 2018, a violent outburst in the riverine village resulted in injuries and property destruction, leading to their arrest by the police. They were also charged with ten counts of violating the peace and inciting violence.
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Prosecuting attorney Mr. Babatunde Falodun launched a 10-count indictment against Ojagbohumi, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole, and Segun Okenla in connection with the violence that broke out in Aiyetoro on January 11, 2018, at the start of the trial.
The prosecution claimed that the convictions’ offenses violated Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
George Eyekole, one of the prisoners, was accused of trying to kill Olu Obolo during the crisis by shooting him with a gun, in violation of Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Though the suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them, the court convicted them of malicious damage of property contrary to Section 37 of the Criminal Code, laws of the state.
Delivering his judgment, Justice David Kolawole found the convicts guilty of the offence and sentenced them to two years with hard labour.
The judge specifically sentenced Eyekole to five years in prison with hard labour for the attempted murder of Obolo during the mayhem.
He, however, gave them, except Eyekole, an option of a fine of N50,000, for the offences committed. The judge also asked them to pay N300.000 each as compensation for the damaged property.
Judge Kolawole stated that the prisoners would be held accountable for any other breaches of the community’s peace and that, should they choose to pay the fine, it would be reimbursed in the event that the peace agreement was broken.
“The prison term that had been suspended through the payment of the fine will be reinstated and the government will refund the fine paid if there is a breach of peace in the community and any of the convicts is charged to court,” the judge declared.