STOP YOUR HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND INTERFERENCE INTO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF OLOFE OF OFE AKOKO.
( Two Ondo High Court Judges warned Owa of Ogbagi, slammed him #1.5million Fine)
Two High Court Judges of the Ondo State Akure Judiciary have separately warned Kabiyesi, Oba Victor Ojo Odagbaragada III, the Owa of Ogbagi to stop harassing, intimidating or interfering into the fundamental rights of Olofe of Ofe Community in Akoko North West Local Government Area : Prince Okunola David Oyebamidele, Okunola II.
Delivering judgement on Tuesday 4th November 2025, in respect of Suit HCAK/14/CIV/2024, between Prince Okunola David Oyebamidele vs AIG, Owa of Ogbagi &1or, His Lordship, Justice Adeyeye of High Court 4, granted all the prayers of Prince Okunola and warned Kabiyesi the Owa of Ogbagi and the Police to desist from his harassment and interference into the fundamental rights of Olofe. The Presiding Judge was particularly irked by the level of low restraints exercised by Owa of Ogbagi in virtually forcing the Office of the AIG, Zone 17, Akure to constantly arrest, harrass and prosecute Prince David Okunola and some Ofe Indigenes as criminals in a Civil Case, even after the Hon Commissioner, State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, had declared the matter settled and closed through a letter he wrote to the Office of the AIG Zone 17 Akure.
The Judge warned Police Officers to always be careful in exercising the coercive power of the State to the disadvantage of a party to a case as done by AIG’S Office in the case.
Justice Adeyeye thereafter ordered the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Ojo Odagbaragada III to pay a sum of #500,000.00 as fine / damages to Prince David Okunola Oyebamidele and stop interfering into his fundamental rights.
In a related Judgement in the case filled by Ofe Indigene No AK/15/CIV/2024, His Lordship Justice Akeredolu also warned Owa of Ogbagi against unwarranted intimidations of Ofe Indigenes and should pay a fine of #1million in damages. The Erudite Judge did not mince words in chastising the Owa as well as Police Officers from the AIG’S Office, the way they handled their investigation by turning a Civil Case to a Criminal Case. According to the Judge –
” Thus, in my view, on 28/7/2024 when the applicant (Olofe) was “arrested” and arraigned, and as subsequently confirmed by the learned Magistrate, both the Police and the 3rd respondent (Owa of Ogbagi) certainly knew without a shadow of doubt that the matter was a civil matter already before a competent Court, and that they should not prosecute same as a criminal matter, but the respondents ( Police & Owa) just could not restraint themselves.
The courts have given this warning again and again, and let me repeat it here again that it is not every matter the Police should intervene, they should be bold to tell a complaint to go and pursue civil remedies. The courts have held that where a person is arraigned by the police without cause, they are in breach of the fundamental Rights of the applicant. Indeed both the Police and the person who made a false and malicious complaint can be held liable for malicious prosecution …” (Page 21)
The Judge was very clear on the fact that the Owa of Ogbagi does not have the power to take all the steps he took against Olofe of Ofe, as he opined that ” In my view, if all the 3rd Respondent (Owa of Ogbagi) did was to write to the Governor and petitioned the AIG, he would be acting within his right as a citizen … But did not stop there, he followed up the matter to the point that the applicant (Olofe) was arraigned by the police at the Magistrate Court, he also engaged Counsel to hold a watching brief on his behalf there. This has gone beyond his duties as a citizen who is taking step to avoid breach or commission of an offence” page 22.
Reacting to the judgement, Prince David Okunola Oyebamidele, the Olofe of Ofe, expressed his joy that Justice had finally been done. He was full of praises for the judiciary for their forthrightness and commitment to the plights and rights of the common people in the society.
He said “surely the Judiciary is still the last hope of the people.”
He further noted that even though the entire Ofe community including himself had always respected and given necessary honour to Owa of Ogbagi, we will never allow him or any other person to change or trample on our customs and traditions in respect of the selection process of the Olofe of Ofe.
He advised Owa of Ogbagi to stay within his traditional boundaries and be wary of sycophants around him who usually stir up controversies.
Attempts made by our Reporter to reach out to Owa of Ogbagi for his views and comments on the judgements proved unsuccessful.
