CITIZENS COMPASS – Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, the traditional ruler of Orile-Ifo, Ogun State, who assaulted a man in a viral video has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to fulfill his bail conditions.
Citizens Compass reported that the monarch was suspended for six months by the state government.
He was invited by the Nigeria Police Force and was subsequently charged to court but granted bail.
However, he failed to fulfill his bail conditions and was remanded at the Correctional Centre.
The spokesperson for the correctional facility, Yinka Odukoya, confirmed that Oba Ogunjobi, having failed to meet his bail conditions, has remained in the custody of the Correctional Service.
Odukoya stated, “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.” The charges against Ogunjobi stemmed from a viral video showing him assaulting 73-year-old Abraham Areola.
The Ogun State Police Command had charged Ogunjobi with conspiracy, assault, and behavior likely to cause a breach of the peace. The charge sheet specifies that the incident occurred on January 21, 2025, at Sojuolu Street in the Ifo Magisterial District, where Ogunjobi allegedly conspired with others to assault Areola by slapping him on the face and ear. Additionally, the charges accuse him of causing a public disturbance by forcing Areola to kneel and assaulting him in front of others
The charge states, “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.”
It further reads, “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.”
In addition, the charges state, “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.”
Oba Ogunjobi appeared before Magistrate F A Iroko and pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail. Among the conditions for bail, Oba Ogunjobi was to provide two sureties, each in the sum of ₦5 million, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. The case has been adjourned to March 6 for a hearing.
