Ondo Monarch Bags Three Years Imprisonment for Court Contempt

An Ondo State Chief Magistrates’ Court in Igbokoda has sentenced the Baale of Ebute Ipare Community, Francis Ogundeji, to three years’ imprisonment for contempt of court. Senior Magistrate E.A. Manuwa delivered the judgment on Monday, though a copy was made available on Thursday. Ogundeji and Ikuejamoye Thomas were charged for selling land in the community in November 2022, despite a court order prohibiting such sales.

The Ondo State High Court in Okitipupa and the Igbokoda Magistrates’ Court had previously issued restraining orders against selling the land. Despite this, Ogundeji and Thomas proceeded with the sale and falsified the sale receipt by backdating it. The defendants faced four charges including contempt of court and falsehood. The charges were read in English and interpreted into Yoruba. The charges included: 1. Contempt of Court: Selling land against court orders. 2. Falsehood: Backdating the sale receipt. 3. Violation of Court Orders: Disregarding previous court decisions. Magistrate Manuwa found Ogundeji and Thomas guilty on count three and sentenced them to three years’ imprisonment each, with an option to pay a fine of N150,000 each. Ogundeji was also sentenced to additional terms on counts one, two, and four, with imprisonment terms to run consecutively. Thomas was discharged and acquitted on counts one, two, and four.

The court ruled: - Ogundeji: Three years’ imprisonment or N150,000 fine on count three. - Ogundeji: Three months’ imprisonment or N30,000 fine on count one. - Ogundeji: Three months’ imprisonment or N30,000 fine on count two. - Thomas: Discharged and acquitted on counts one, two, and four. - Ogundeji: One month’s imprisonment or N30,000 fine on count four.