An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, has sentenced a pastor, Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, and five others to two years imprisonment on Monday.
Ojagbohunmi with others, Victor Akinluwa, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, Lawrence Lemamu, George Eyekole and Segun Okenla were convicted for violence and breach of peace.
The court found them guilty of the charges against them and sentenced them to 2 years each.
Background
On January 11, 2018, violence erupted at the Ondo State coastal community of Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government and consequently led to the arrest of the 6.
It was reported that the chaos inflicted serious injury to humans and destruction to properties in the riverine community.
Ojagbohunmi, who also claimed the spiritual head of the coastal community was apprehended with five others by the police and charged to court on 10 counts of criminal charges.
During the trial the prosecuting counsel Mr Babatunde Falodun, charged them with 10 counts bordering on violence and breach of peace over the January 11, 2018 violence.
Falodun argued that they had committed a criminal offence and violated section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
One of the convicts, George Eyekola, who was said to have shot a man named Olu Obolo during the crisis was charged with attempted murder.
The crime violated Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Lwas of Ondo State, 2006.
Eyekola pleaded not guilty to all charges however, the court found him guilty which led to his conviction.
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Court decision
Justice David Kolawole held that they were guilty of causing gross damages to properties which is contrary to Section 37 of the criminal code, and laws of the state.
The judge sentenced five of them to two years imprisonment with hard labour.
However, in a separate delivery, the court sentenced Eyekole to five years in prison with hard labor for the offence preferred against him.
Justice Kolawole subsequently gave them a condition to pay a fine of NN50,000each while Eyekole was exempted.
The court also said they would pay a total of N300,000 each for damages caused to properties during the crisis.
The judge included that if they were later found guilty of the same crime and charged to court, their prison term would be reinstated while the government would also pay back their fine.
“If there is a breach of peace in the community and any of the convicts is charged to court, the prison term that had been suspended, through the payment of the fine, will be reinstated and the fine paid will be refunded by the government,” the judge declared.