Court sentences prophet, five others for violent acts, breach of peace

A self-styled prophet and spiritual head of the Aiyetoro community in Ilaje Local Council of Ondo State, Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, was on Tuesday sentenced to two years in prison for engaging in violent acts and breaching the peace of the community by an Akure High Court.

Sentenced with Ojagbohunmi were Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole, and Segun Okenla.

The convicts, who were found guilty of the three 10-count charges preferred against them by the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice engaged in violent acts on January 11, 2018, which disbursed the peace of the community.

The charges read, “That you, Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole, and Segun Okenla, on or about the 11th of January, 2018 around 9.00 a.m. at Aiyetoro community, Ilaje Local Government in the Okitipupa Judicial Division, conspired with others now at large to commit a felony to wit: Armed Robbery.”

The convicts were accused of robbing Temitope Olowodasa of a sum of N270,000.00 in his house.

According to the prosecutor, at the time of the robbery, the convicts were armed with weapons, such as guns and cutlasses, which he said was contrary to Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The convicts and others at large were also accused of robbing Igoli Akinlana of four industrial sewing machines valued at N800,000.00, four plasma TVs valued at N448,000.00, and a cash sum of N635,000.00 in his house.

Also, Ojagbohumi, Akinluwa, Ikuyelorimi, Lemamu, Eyekole and Okenla were accused of conspiring to commit a felony, malicious damage to property, contrary to Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

However, Eyekole was accused of attempting to murder one Olu Obolo by shooting him with a gun, contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Justice David Kolawole also sentenced Eyekole to five years in prison with hard labour for the attempted murder of Obolo in the coastal community of the state.

While the judge discharged and acquitted the convicts of armed robbery conspiracy, he also gave the option of a fine for counts six, seven, and eight that related to malicious damage to property.

According to the judge, aside the option of fine, they were to sign an undertaking that they will maintain peace in the community.