The Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez, was on Monday arrested within the premises of the Osun State High Court sitting in Ede following the execution of a bench warrant issued against him by Justice L.O. Arojo.
The monarch had earlier appeared before Justice Kudirat Akano alongside four other defendants in a separate criminal case involving allegations of arson and destruction of farmland and crops valued at N200 million.
Others standing trial with the monarch are Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye.
According to court records, the defendants allegedly committed the offences on September 3, 2019, on a farm located in Oloba within the Ede Judicial Division.
The prosecution accused them of allegedly being armed with firearms and other dangerous weapons while robbing Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil at the farm.
Items allegedly stolen from the victims included about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats and other domestic animals valued at approximately N10 million.
During Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel, M.A. Atobatele, presented four additional witnesses after previously calling three defence witnesses.
The witnesses included three police officers and the palace secretary.
Shortly after the matter was adjourned, operatives of the Police Prompt Response Unit, who were stationed outside the courtroom, reportedly moved in and arrested the monarch.
According to court documents, Justice Arojo had earlier issued a bench warrant against Oba Azeez and one Kabiru Raheem on May 18, 2026, after both defendants allegedly failed to appear in court in another case filed by the Osun State Government.
The court also directed the police to arrest the duo and remand them in either the Ilesa or Ile-Ife correctional facility pending their appearance before the court on June 5, 2026.
The Osun State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, filed suit No. HED/4C/2025 against the defendants over allegations of forceful entry and destruction of crops worth over N17 million on a farmland in Iloba town.
The suit alleged that the defendants unlawfully entered a farmland occupied by Raheem Adeleke Taofeek and later engaged quarry operators to extract sand and other materials from the site.
The alleged activities reportedly led to the destruction of cashew trees, cassava, maize and other crops valued at more than N17 million.
Following his arrest, the monarch was reportedly taken to the Ile-Ife correctional facility in compliance with the court order.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the police acted based on a valid court directive.
Ojelabi stated that the monarch was arrested and remanded at the Ile-Ife correctional facility in line with the court order.
(Dailytrust)
