The Baale of Yale Camp, in Bolorunduro, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, Ojo Olomolekulo, and two others have been dragged to an Akure Magistrate Court for flogging and brutalising villagers who refused to pay toll fee.
The two accomplices are Isaac Oloyede and Kehinde Tope.
Their victims Iyabo Ajibade and Thompson Owoyemi, were wounded from the flogging carried out on December 15, 2024 after they refused to pay what they said was illegal toll gate fee.
Ojo was also accused of illegally selling a portion of a government-owned forest reserve to two separate buyers, acts which breached Sections 351, 38, and 274 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against them.
Counsel to the defendants, O.A. Oladunjoye, begged the court to grant them bail but the prosecuting Counsel, O.A. Iroaye, rejected the request for amicable settlement, saying the Baale was a menace in the community.
“It is rather disturbing that a traditional leader who should be a custodian of peace is now facing allegations of intimidation and illegal land deals,” Iroaye said.
Presiding Magistrate, Taiwo Lebi ordered the Baale to immediately halt all forms of collections from villagers and warned him to steer clear of actions capable of disrupting peace in the community.
He adjourned the case to June 20, 2025, for further hearing.