By Rotimi Ojomoyela
Ekiti State Police Command has arraigned four suspects before a Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti over their alleged involvement in the failed attack on the Ọlọja-Ọwa of Ọwatẹdo-Ekiti, Oba David Olawumi Olofinlade, in the Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, and the unlawful damage to his Lexus RX 350 SUV valued at N25 million.
The defendants, Makanju Olawale (‘M’ 40), Ajibola Dada (‘M’ 34), Olaoye Dada (‘M’ 27) and Ewe Moyinoluwa (‘M’ 25) were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, malicious damage, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, all of which they pleaded not guilty to.
According to the charge sheet marked MAD/758/2026, the defendants allegedly committed the offences on June 23, 2026, at Ipoti-Ekiti within the Ipoti-Ekiti Magisterial District, all contrary to the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The charge sheet reads, “That you Makanju Olawale, Ajibola Dada, Olaoye Dada and Ewe Moyinoluwa on or about 23rd June, 2026 at Ipoti-Ekiti within Ipoti-Ekiti magisterial district, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit:- Assault Occasioning Harm, Malicious Damage and Conduct Likely to cause breach of peace. You thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 421 of the criminal law of Ekiti State 2021.
“COUNT II:- That you Makanju Olawale, Ajibola Dada, Olaoye Dada and Ewe Moyinoluwa on the same date and place of the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully, assault one Ilesanmi Dare by inflicting serious injuries on his left hand and other part of his body. You thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 186 of the criminal law of Ekiti State 2021.
“COUNT III: That you Makanju Olawale, Ajibola Dada, Olaoye Dada and Ewe Moyinoluwa on the same date and place of the aforementioned magisterial district, did willfully and unlawfully damage one Lexus 350 Jeep valued N25million property of property of HRM Oba Engr David Olawumi Olofinlade. You thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 363 of the criminal law of Ekiti State 2021.
“COUNT IV:- That you Makanju Olawale, Ajibola Dada, Olaoye Dada and Ewe Moyinoluwa on the same date and place of the aforementioned magisterial district, did conduct yourselves in the public in a manner likely to cause the breach of the peace. You thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 181(1)d of the criminal law of Ekiti State 2021”.
In his argument, the Prosecutor, ASP Oriyomi Akinwale, urged the Court to take into cognisance the nature of their offence, saying such act can bring about calamity and anarchy in the town.
He claimed that some of the suspects have been involved in a similar case in 2020, praying court to let them face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.
The counsel for the defendants, Kayode Opeyemi, described the defendants as presumed innocent, urging the court to exercise its discretion in granting them bail due to their non-involvement in any unlawful acts in the past.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted them bail of N500,000 each, with two sureties each and adjourned the case to 6th August, 2026, for further hearing.
