A magistrate court in Ogun State, Nigeria, has remanded the suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, at the Ilaro Correctional Centre after he failed to meet his bail conditions.
The Ogun State Police Command arraigned the monarch on Tuesday following a viral video that showed him assaulting a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola. According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), Ogunjobi was accused of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charges stated that on January 21, 2025, at about 11:00 a.m., the monarch and others at large conspired to commit a misdemeanor by assaulting and humiliating the elderly man in public. The charge further detailed that Ogunjobi slapped Areola on the face and ear, an act considered unlawful under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Oba Ogunjobi pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko. The court granted him bail with two sureties set at N5 million each, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. However, the traditional ruler was remanded in custody after failing to meet the bail conditions. The case has been adjourned to March 6 for further hearing.
The viral video of the incident sparked widespread condemnation, showing the monarch verbally and physically assaulting Areola while forcing him to kneel on a public road. At one point, one of Ogunjobi’s aides struck the elderly man and ordered him to prostrate before the monarch.
Reacting to the incident, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun State commended the state government for suspending Ogunjobi and called for his full prosecution. Similarly, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) lauded law enforcement authorities for their swift response and urged the police to arrest the aide who assaulted the victim.
Ogunjobi, a retired police officer, was suspended from his position as traditional ruler following public outrage over his actions. His prosecution is seen as a test case for accountability among traditional leaders in Nigeria.
