A 64-year-old pastor, Apostle Adefiju Boluwaji, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court, Akure, Ondo State, over allegations of forceful entry, breach of public peace and destruction of crops valued at N247m in Ondo East LGA of the state.
Boluwaji, who had reportedly evaded arrest for months and was listed as wanted by Zone 17 of the Nigeria Police, was eventually apprehended and taken to the Bolorunduro Divisional Police Headquarters.
He was later transferred to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Akure.
The charges stem from a reported incident on November 25, 2024, at Omilosu village, Bolorunduro, where Boluwaji allegedly coordinated the destruction of cash crops, including plantain, cocoa, coconut, and palm trees, belonging to Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi.
An 80-year-old co-defendant, Prince Adebisi Adefusi, is already facing a separate trial in connection with the same matter at the Bolorunduro Magistrate’s Court.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, police prosecutor Adebayo Sulaiman charged Boluwaji with criminal conspiracy, willful damage to crops worth N247m, and unlawful entry, all offences punishable under the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.
Defence counsel, Mr. Oguntuwase, applied for bail, which the prosecution did not oppose but requested that strict conditions be imposed, citing Boluwaji’s earlier evasion of arrest.
Chief Magistrate Damilola Sekoni granted bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum.
The court ordered that the sureties must reside within its jurisdiction and swear an affidavit of means.
The case was transferred to the Magistrate’s Court in Bolorunduro for substantive trial and adjourned till September 15, 2025.
