Pastor arraigned over N247m property damage in Ondo

A 64-year-old pastor, Apostle Adefiju Boluwaji, was on Wednesday, August 6, 3025, arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, over allegations of malicious damage, criminal trespass, and breach of peace.

The embattled cleric, long on the wanted list of the Zone 17 Police Command, was nabbed over the weekend and brought to the AIG’s office in Akure after being initially held at Bolorunduro Divisional Headquarters in Ondo East Local Government Area of the state.

Boluwaji’s arrest comes as his alleged accomplice, 80-year-old Prince Adebisi Adefusi, already faces trial at the Bolorunduro Magistrates’ Court for reportedly storming and destroying property belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, a prominent figure in the area.

Police Prosecutor Adebayo Sulaiman told the court that the accused and unnamed associates allegedly invaded farmlands situated at Omilosu via Bolorunduro on November 25, 2024.

Court documents revealed that the group allegedly decimated plantain, cocoa, kolanut, and palm trees valued at N247 million, belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi.

The charge further stated that Boluwaji and his gang forcibly entered land in the peaceful possession of the Reverend in a manner “likely to cause a breach of the peace,” thus igniting serious legal and communal tensions.

The charge read: “That you Adefiju Boluwaji and others at large on or about the 25th day of November 2024 did conspire to commit Felony to wit: trespass into the possession of land situate at Omilosu via Bolorunduro within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire to commit Felony to wit: forcible entry, malicious damage to properties and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Adefiju Boluwaji and others at large on or about the 25th day of November 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did wilfully and unlawfully destroyed Plantain, Cocoa, Colanut, and palm trees valued Two Hundred and Forty Seven Million Naira (247,000,000.00) belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

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“That you Adefiju Boluwaji and others at large on or about the 25th day of November, 2024, at Omilosu via Bolorunduro, Ondo within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace, or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace enter on land which is in actual and peaceable possession of Reverend David Akinadewo Adekahunsi and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 81 of the Criminal code Cap. 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

Boluwaji pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

The defence counsel, Oguntuwase, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing the offences were bailable and that the defendant was prepared to stand trial.

However, Sulaiman was quick to counter, stressing that the accused had evaded arrest for months and should only be granted bail under stringent conditions.

The Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, granted the pastor bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Sekoni added that each surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear an affidavit of means.

The Magistrate, therefore, transferred the case to the Bolorunduro Magistrates’ Court, where proceedings will resume on September 15.

The Star