Murder: Court Grants Olukere Of Ikere-Ekiti Bail
The Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, was on Friday granted bail by an Ekiti State High Court, after spending almost two months in the prison custody.
The monarch was arrested and remanded on December 25, 2017 over the murder charge slammed on him by the state government.
Trouble started after Obasoyin’s Hotel, Arede Royal Suites located in Gbemisola area of Ikere-Ekiti, was attacked and vandalized by some individuals with one Kolade Adefemi alleged to have taken part in the attack killed in the scuffle.
Ruling on the bail application filed by Olukere on Friday, Justice Abiodun Adesodun admitted the monarch to bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum.
The two sureties, according to Justice Adesodun must swear to affidavits and produce tax clearance certificate showing evidence of tax payment for three years.
Also, one of the sureties must deposit land titles within the jurisdiction of the court.
Olukere’s lead counsel Mr. Morakinyo Ogele said, “This ruling is symbolic and historic; symbolic in the sense that it is in favour of justice and historic in the sense that it will enter into the judicial history of Ekiti.
“We believe that will be done eventually in this case.”
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, left the court before Justice Adesodun finished delivering the ruling.
Justice Adesodun ruled that if released to credible surety, the applicant would not jump bail considering his position as an Oba.
The judge said he had studied the affidavit filed by the defence and the counter-affidavit filed by the prosecution and noted that the grant or refusal of bail was predicated on some factors.
Some of the factors, according to him, include the nature and strength of evidence, severity of the punishment upon conviction, the probability that the accused will not present himself for trial and the likelihood of interfering in the case.
Justice Adesodun held that the grant or refusal of bail was at the discretion of the court but, “it must be done judicially and judiciously.”
Although the monarch was not present in court on Friday, some of his chiefs, family members and supporters celebrated in hushed tones as the court rose.
Standing trial alongside the Olukere are Ajewole on a three-count charge of conspiracy to murder,attempted murder and murder, Ajewole Sunday, Adetowoju Bode, Kayode Michael, Olowolafe Tola and Aluko Taiwo.
The two of the suspected attackers of the hotel, Osanyinbola and Babatunde Ayodele, who were kept in custody were released by the Magistrate’s Court following advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The Olukere and Governor Ayo Fayose have been at loggerheads over non-presentation of a staff of office to him and attempt by the state government to demolish the Ereja Shrine, located in the centre of Ikere.
