Osun Monarch arrested in court, sent to prison

The Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez, was on Monday arrested within the premises of the Osun State High Court in Ede following the execution of a bench warrant issued against him and another defendant by Justice L.O. Arojo.

The monarch had earlier appeared before Justice Kudirat Akano alongside four other defendants in a separate criminal matter involving allegations of arson and destruction of farmland and crops valued at N200 million.

Those standing trial with Oba Azeez in the case are Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye.

According to court records, the defendants are accused of committing the offences on September 3, 2019, at a farm located in Oloba within the Ede Judicial Division.

The prosecution alleged that they were armed with firearms and other offensive weapons when they robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil at the farm of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats and other domestic animals valued at approximately N10 million.

At Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel, M.A. Atobatele, who had previously called three defence witnesses, presented four additional witnesses. The witnesses included three police officers and the palace secretary.

However, shortly after the matter was adjourned, police operatives attached to the Prompt Response Unit, who had positioned themselves outside the courtroom, moved in and arrested the monarch.

Court documents obtained by OSUN DEFENDER indicated that Justice Arojo had issued a bench warrant against Oba Azeez and one Kabiru Raheem on May 18, 2026, after both defendants failed to appear before the court in a separate case instituted by the Osun State Government.

Another court order directed the police to arrest the two defendants and convey them to either the Ilesa or Ile-Ife correctional facility, where they were to remain in custody pending their appearance before the court on June 5, 2026.

The court document stated: “I can confirm that the defendants were duly represented by Mr M.A. Atobatele in court on the last date when they were also absent. There is no justification for their absence in court today. I therefore order a bench warrant against each of the two defendants, and they should be so brought before this honourable court on the next date. Each of the sureties is to show cause.”

The Osun State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, had filed suit No. HED/4C/2025 against Oba Azeez and Raheem over allegations of forceful entry and destruction of crops valued at more than ₦17 million on a farmland in Iloba town.

According to one of the counts in the suit, the defendants allegedly entered and took possession of a farmland said to be occupied by Raheem Adeleke Taofeek and subsequently engaged quarry operators to extract sand and other materials from the site. The activities were said to have resulted in the destruction of cashew trees, cassava, maize and other crops valued at over ₦17 million.

Following his arrest, Oba Azeez was said to have been taken to the correctional facility in Ile-Ife in compliance with the court order.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the police acted in line with a valid court directive.

According to him, “Officers acted strictly based on court order. There was an arrest and remand warrant that had been issued.”

Ojelabi further stated that “the monarch was arrested and remanded in Ile Ife correctional facility based on the court order.”

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)