Police arraign octogenarian for ‘destroying cocoa farm worth N247m’ in Ondo

The police command in Ondo has arraigned 80-year-old Adefusi Adebisi for allegedly destroying farmland with cocoa and kola nut trees worth N247 million in the Bolorunduro area of the state.

Police arraigned Adebisi before a magistrate court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit forcible entry, malicious damage, and trespassing.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The police accused Adebisi and others still at large of trespassing on land belonging to David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, a cleric, and destroying economic trees on November 25, 2024, at Omilosu community in Bolorunduro.

“That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire to commit a felony, to wit: forcible entry, malicious damage to properties, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006,” the charge sheet reads.

“That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, wilfully and unlawfully destroyed plantain, cocoa, kolanut, and palm trees valued at Two Hundred and Forty-Seven Million Naira (₦247,000,000.00) belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace, entered land which is in actual and peaceable possession of Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 81 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

H. A. Olagbaju, police prosecutor, said the defendant’s actions were likely to incite a breach of the peace.

E. O. Edo, the defence counsel, prayed that the court grant bail to the defendant since he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Mike Akinbola, the senior magistrate, granted bail of N10 million to the defendant with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate said the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of two years of tax clearance, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and submit their national identification numbers (NIN).

She adjourned the case to March 5, 2025, for continuation of trial.