A chief magistrate court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has handed down a six-month prison sentence to Mufutau Dosunmu, who had falsely assumed the title of the Osolo of Ado-Odo in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government of the state. Dosunmu faced charges of impersonation and disturbance of peace within the Ado-Odo Magisterial district.
The conviction stemmed from Dosunmu’s audacious presentation of himself as a traditional ruler, complete with regalia and a beaded crown, despite lacking the legitimate title. This action was deemed a violation of Section 23(2)(c) of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State. Furthermore, Dosunmu was accused of engaging in behavior likely to incite a breach of peace, leading to charges under Section 249(1)(d) of the Criminal Code Law, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Among Dosunmu’s transgressions was the installation of one Alabi Afizu as Baba Loja (market head) of Ado at Oba Agaloye Market, Ado-Odo, in March 2022, contravening Section 249(1)(d) of the Criminal Code Law. The prosecuting counsel, Adebayo Adesanya, argued that Dosunmu’s actions constituted punishable offenses under Section 249(1)(d) and were subject to penalties outlined in Section 249(3) of the Criminal Code Law.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, Dosunmu faced legal consequences for parading himself as a kingmaker without Traditional Council approval, a violation of Section 41 of the Chief’s Law of Ogun State, 2021. This particular offense carried penalties specified in Section 41(6) of the Obas and Chiefs Law.
Chief Magistrate E.O Idowu, presiding over the case, delivered a verdict finding Dosunmu guilty on all six counts. Consequently, Dosunmu was sentenced to six months imprisonment, underscoring the legal ramifications of his actions within the context of traditional and criminal law in Ogun State.
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