Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, the suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to meet his bail conditions.
The Ogun State Police Command arraigned the monarch on Tuesday following a viral video that showed him assaulting a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola.
According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the traditional ruler was accused of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charges read: “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 misdemeanor, 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.”
Another part of the charge noted: “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.”
Another part of the charge noted: “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.”
The charge further detailed: “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 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 pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko.
He was granted bail with two sureties set at N5 million each, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. The case has been adjourned to March 6 for a hearing.
The viral video, which drew widespread condemnation, showed the monarch verbally and physically assaulting Areola, forcing him to kneel on the road while hurling accusations and threats. At one point, an aide struck the elderly man and ordered him to prostrate before Ogunjobi.
Ogunjobi, a retired police officer, boasted about his law enforcement connections, threatening to have Areola jailed.
In response to the incident, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun State commended the government for swiftly suspending the monarch. The group’s chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole, condemned the assault and called for full prosecution.
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) also lauded the government and police for their swift response.
(The Nation)
