Popular Traditional Ruler sentenced for 10 years for destroying Church Property [PHOTO]

A traditional ruler in Ondo has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Osi Magistrates’ Court for destroying properties belonging to a church without permission.

TRACKNEWS reports that Oba Adewale Sunday Boboye, who holds the title of Ajagun Ode of Ode community in Akure North local government area, was found guilty of six counts of malicious damage and was handed the sentence by Magistrate Bukola Ojo.

Prosecutor Sergeant Ajiboye Babatunde presented the facts of the case, stating that Boboye and others conspired on September 20, 2023, to commit malicious damage to the ‘Pastorate and laity of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, along Ado Ekiti Road Igoba, Akure North’.

The accused was charged with destroying the perimeter fence of the church, palm trees, food crops, and a signpost, which were valued at five million naira.

“The convict, when arrested, could not give satisfactory account to the police,” Babatunde said.

The prosecution called four witnesses to testify in court, and Babatunde urged the court to impose a harsh sentence to deter others from committing similar offenses.

In his reaction, Boboye’s defense counsel, Adeola Kayode, denied the allegations and asked for leniency.

The magistrate sentenced the accused to a total of eight years in prison and imposed fines totaling N50,000. The court also ordered Boboye to pay N5 million naira in compensation to the church for the damage caused. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning that Boboye will serve a maximum of 2 years in prison if he fails to pay the compensation.