Ondo Monarch Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Contempt of Court
Francis Ogundeji, the Baale of Ebute Ipare Community in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, has been sentenced to three years in prison for violating a court order. The verdict was issued on Monday by Senior Magistrate E.A. Manuwa at the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Igbokoda. The ruling was made public on Thursday.
Ogundeji, along with Ikuejamoye Thomas, faced charges related to the illegal sale of land in their community in November 2022, despite a court injunction prohibiting such sales. Both the Ondo State High Court in Okitipupa and the Igbokoda Magistrates’ Court had previously barred land transactions in the area.
Despite these restrictions, Ogundeji and Thomas proceeded with the sale and were also found guilty of falsifying the transaction receipt by backdating it. They were charged with contempt of court and forgery, among other offenses.
During the trial, the charges were presented in both English and Yoruba. The court found Ogundeji and Thomas guilty of forgery and sentenced them to three years in prison, with an option to pay a fine of N150,000 each. Thomas was acquitted of the other charges.
The magistrate’s sentencing includes:
– Count One: Ogundeji is sentenced to three months in prison or a fine of N30,000.
– Count Two: Ogundeji is also sentenced to three months in prison or a fine of N30,000. Thomas is acquitted.
– Count Three: Both defendants receive three years in prison or a fine of N150,000 each.
– Count Four: Ogundeji is sentenced to one month in prison or a fine of N30,000, while Thomas is acquitted.
The court has ordered that Ogundeji’s prison terms run consecutively.
