Baale, 63, Lands In Trouble As Police Dock Him Over Land Grabbing

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 63-year old community leader and Baale of Elekokan in Igana, Oyo State, Chief Lawrence Ige, has landed in trouble over his alleged involvement in land grabbing in the State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Baale Ige was arrested and charged before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan over allegations of land-grabbing.

Chief Ige was charged for conspiracy, land-grabbing, unlawful encroachment and use of violence for the purpose of land-grabbing under the Criminal law of the State.

However, he pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him before Justice O.A. Adetujoye.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Williams Tijani, told the Court that the defendant committed the offences between 2021 and now at Igana area with others at large by using self-help to take over the real property of one Dr Mojisola Sodeinde.

He said the defendant encroached the land without lawful authority and used violence against Sodeinde for the purpose of grabbing her land.

The prosecution counsel stated that the offences contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State and Sections 4, 9(1) and 7(1) of the Real Properties Protection Law of State, 2016.

Mr. Oluwatobi Fatoki appeared as the watching brief counsel for the nominal complainant, while Mr. John Adebisi, appeared for the defendant.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Adetujoye, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood.

Justice Adetujoye, while granting the bail, held that the offences are bailable and not capital offence.

“Moreover, the granting of bail is at the discretion of the Court,” she said, adding that she put into consideration the personality of the defendant who is a community leader.”

The Court adjourned the matter till 12th December, 2024, for hearing while the defendant will be remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.