Monarch Accused of Rape Remanded in Prison

Posted by admin Headlines, Osun, State News Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

A CHIEF magistrate court in Osun State has ordered a monarch in the state, Oba Adebukola Alli, the Alowa of Ilowa in Obokun Local Government Area of the state, to be remanded in prison custody.

The embattled monarch is standing trial for alleged raping of a 23-year-old member of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who was posted to his domain for her national service.

There was mild drama in the courtroom as the monarch collapsed shortly after the court delivered its ruling, but he was quickly given a helping hand by members of his family who accompanied him to the court.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsels to the monarch, Messers Victor Opara, B.P Ogundele and Miss Ogonnaya Elekwachi, brought an application urging the court to vacate its earlier order of June 24, 2011, which placed the monarch under house arrest.

The counsels argued that no doctor came to the monarch’s palace to treat him as directed by the court, adding that his life is in danger owing to his health condition

They lamented that as a result of the house arrest, the monarch’s private doctors could not treat him. They therefore appealed to the court to grant their application and vacate the order of the house arrest so that he can be taken to hospital for comprehensive medical treatment.

The Prosecuting State Counsel, Mr Olufemi Adedokun did not oppose the application. He prayed the court to use its discretion to determine whether the application to vacate the order of the house arrest should be granted or not.

Delivering his ruling, the magistrate, Adewumi Makanjuola noted the traditional ruler looked healthy and that the excuse of sickness was just a pretext to evade justice.

He also said that the fear raised about the monarch’s health was very suspicious and that the court cannot be fooled.

His words: “In order not to take any more chances, inasmuch as the accused has been shown to be worthy of remand in prison custody, I am of the opinion that his remand will be an answer to this problem. The accused person is hereby ordered to be remanded in prison custody.”

He also ordered prison officials to give Oba Alli medical attention in custody while the head of the medical team in the prison should furnish the court with detailed medical report of the accused before Friday, July 8, 2011,the next adjournment date.

-Guardianwp_posts