Ogun monarch remanded in prison over assault till bail conditions are met

The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to fulfill his bail conditions. Yinka Odukoya, the spokesperson for the correctional facility, confirmed this on Wednesday, noting that the monarch is still in custody as he has not completed the necessary steps to secure his release.
Odukoya said, “Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released.”
On Tuesday, the Ogun State Police Command arraigned the suspended monarch following a viral video in which he was seen assaulting 73-year-old Abraham Areola. According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the suspended monarch faces charges of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charge 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 misdemeanour, 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.”
The accused appeared before Magistrate F.A. Iroko and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court granted him bail, requiring two sureties who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, each in the sum of N5 million. The case was adjourned to March 6 for a hearing.
A viral video showing Ogunjobi verbally and physically assaulting Abraham Areola sparked widespread outrage. In the two-minute clip, Areola was forced to kneel on the road while Ogunjobi verbally attacked him, accusing him of conspiring against him and his family. The suspended monarch, a retired police officer, boasted about his law enforcement connections and threatened to have Areola imprisoned. At one point, one of Ogunjobi’s aides slapped the elderly man and ordered him to prostrate before the monarch.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Ogun State praised the government for swiftly suspending the monarch. In a statement on Tuesday, signed by Chairman Comrade Solomon Bankole, the group condemned the assault and called for full prosecution. Similarly, the State Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) commended both the government and police for their prompt action to secure justice for the victim. The PCRC also urged the police to arrest the individual who slapped Areola. State PCRC Chairman Samson Kunle Popoola reassured the public of the committee’s commitment to impartiality on matters affecting the fundamental human rights of Ogun State residents.