The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to meet the bail conditions set by the court.
Confirming the development to PUNCH Online today, the spokesperson for the correctional facility, Yinka Odukoya, stated that the monarch remained in custody as his bail requirements had not yet been met.
“Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to fulfill the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released,” Odukoya said.
The Ogun State Police Command yesterday arraigned the suspended monarch, who is 43 years old, in connection with a viral video that showed him assaulting a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola.
According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), Ogunjobi 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.
“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.
“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.”
Appearing before Magistrate F. A. Iroko, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court granted him bail, requiring two sureties who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, each posting a sum of N5 million.
The case has been adjourned to March 6 for a hearing.
The incident, which was captured in a viral video, sparked widespread condemnation.
In the footage, Ogunjobi was seen verbally and physically assaulting Areola, who was forced to kneel on the road while the monarch berated him with accusations and curses.
The traditional ruler, reportedly a retired police officer, boasted about his connections within law enforcement and threatened to have Areola jailed.
At one point in the video, one of Ogunjobi’s aides struck the elderly man and ordered him to prostrate before the monarch.
Reacting to the incident, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun State commended the state government for swiftly suspending the traditional ruler.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole stated that the group condemned the assault and called for full prosecution.
Similarly, the state Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) praised both the government and the police for taking prompt action to ensure justice for the victim.
The committee also urged law enforcement to apprehend the individual who slapped the elderly man.
The State PCRC Chairman, Samson Kunle Popoola, assured the public that the committee remains committed to upholding fundamental human rights and ensuring justice for all residents of Ogun State.
