The traditional ruler of Isherin land, located in the Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, Chief Abdulrasheed Adeleke, has been arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over allegations of illegal land sales.
The monarch was charged alongside one Okunlola Moruf. According to a charge sheet obtained by Adamimogo FM Ibadan, the defendants face a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony and fraudulent conversion of property. The land in question, comprising over 3,000 acres jointly owned by the Ayelumo and Apogede Amunilole families, is valued at approximately N1.85 billion.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following the arraignment, the presiding magistrate granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million each. As part of the conditions, they are required to provide two suitors in the same amount. The magistrate further stipulated that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant and must own a landed property within Isherin land.
According to court documents and reports surrounding the case, the disputed property was originally leased to a company, Divine Farm, in 2020. However, the traditional ruler, who hails from the Ayelumo family is alleged to have gone behind the backs of the other joint owners a year later to sell the land outrightly to the same company.
This unilateral action reportedly breached the terms of the initial lease agreement and ignored the interests of the Apogede Amunilole family, who are co-owners of the vast expanse of land. The alleged fraudulent conversion prompted the Apogede Amunilole family to approach the court to seek legal redress, leading to the criminal charges now pending against the monarch and his co-defendant.
The case has been adjourned until May 5, 2026, for further hearing.
