An octogenarian Prince from Ondo in Ondo State, Adefusi Adebisi, has been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court on charges of wilful destruction of property and breach of peace.

Adebisi was arraigned by the Ondo State Police Command on Monday, February 10, 2025.

The police accused 80-year-old Adebisi from Bolorunduro in Ondo East Local Government Area of Ondo and others still at large of trespassing on land belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi and destroying economic trees valued at N247 million.

The incident allegedly occurred on November 25, 2024.

Police Prosecutor H. A. Olagbaju stated that the defendant’s actions were likely to incite a breach of the peace.

The charge sheet read: “That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire to commit a felony, to wit: forcible entry, malicious damage to properties, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, wilfully and unlawfully destroyed plantain, cocoa, kolanut, and palm trees valued at N247,000,000 belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

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“That you, Prince Adefusi Adebisi, and others at large, on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace, entered land which is in actual and peaceable possession of Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 81 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol I. Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel, E. O. Edo, requested bail on behalf of the accused, arguing that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty and assuring the court of his client’s readiness to attend all hearings.

The magistrate, Mike Akinbola, granted Adebisi bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

Akinbola said the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of two years of tax clearance, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and submit their National Identification Numbers (NIN).

The magistrate, thereafter, adjourned the case to March 5, 2025, for hearing and directed the prosecutor to file all necessary proof of evidence before the next sitting.

The Star