Suspended Ogun Monarch Remains In Prison Over Bail Conditions

Suspended Ogun Monarch Remanded In Prison Over Unmet Bail Conditions.
He was charged with conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Civil society and PCRC commend authorities for swift action.

The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to meet his bail conditions.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Spokesperson for the correctional facility, Yinka Odukoya, confirmed the development on Wednesday, stating that the monarch remained in custody as he had yet to fulfill the bail requirements.

“Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released,” Odukoya told Punch.

Ogunjobi was arraigned before the Ifo Magistrate Court on Tuesday by the Ogun State Police Command over a viral video in which he was seen assaulting a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola.

According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the suspended monarch was accused of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The charges read:

Count One: “That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 1100 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo Magisterial District, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”
Count Two: “That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”
Count Three: “That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcing one Areola Abraham ‘m’ to kneel down and assaulting him in public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”

Ogunjobi pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate F. A. Iroko.

The court granted him bail with two sureties in the sum of N5 million each, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. However, he was unable to meet the bail conditions, leading to his remand in prison. The case has been adjourned to March 6 for hearing.

A video showing Ogunjobi verbally and physically assaulting Areola sparked widespread outrage.

In the two-minute footage, Areola was forced to kneel on the road while the monarch berated him with curses, accusing him of conspiring against him and his family.

Ogunjobi, reportedly a retired police officer, was heard boasting about his connections in law enforcement and threatening to have the elderly man jailed. One of the monarch’s aides was also seen striking Areola and ordering him to prostrate before the ruler.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun State commended the state government for swiftly suspending the monarch.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole, the group condemned the assault and called for full prosecution.

Similarly, the state’s Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) applauded both the government and the police for taking swift action.

The PCRC also urged the police to arrest the individual who slapped the victim.

The State PCRC Chairman, Samson Kunle Popoola, assured the public that the committee remains committed to protecting the fundamental human rights of Ogun State residents.