The Osogbo Magistrate’s Court has acquitted four defendants who have been trial before the court since 2019 ver a case of perjury, and forgery, AMILOADED reports.
The four defendants acquitted are Oyirinde Oluseye, Obalana Amos, Yekini Adisa, and Adebayo Nasiru.
On Friday, the police prosecutor, ASP James Idoko, told the court that there was a new development that the complaint, His Royal Majesty, Salu of Edunabon, Oba Oladepo Olatunde Kehinde (JP) had written to the court on his decision to discontinued and withdraw the case.
The Magistrate, O. A Ayelara, on hearing the new development with a copy of the withdrawal letter already submitted to the court asked the defendant why he waited so long to withdraw the matter from the court.
The complaint in his reply said he considered the future and that being the traditional Ruler of the community and that the defendants were his subjects he decided to withdraw the case for purpose of future and sake of his own children
Magistrate Ayelara put the complaint on Oath pledging that his decision to discontinue the case was from him and consequently struck out the case.
He, however, discharged and acquitted the defendants urging them to go and remain peaceful without any form of celebration.
Meanwhile, he bonded the four defendants with the sum of N1million each for one year
The court also warned them not to participate in any public function for the next one year.
It will be recalled that the four defendants had been standing trial since 2019 when, the police brought them to court on four-count charge bordering on felony to wit forgery, perjury and and making false statements.
According to the charge brought against them read:That you oyerinde Oluseye, Obilana Amos, Yekini Adisa Olaoye and Adebayo Nasiru and others still at large on January 9,2019 at about 9am at Osogbo Magisterial district did conspire among themselves to commit felony to wit forgery, perjury and making false statement.
“That you oyerinde Oluseye, Obilana Amos, Yekini Adisa Olaoye and Adebayo Nasiru at the same date time and place did forge Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital OAUTH medical report of Chief Odebode Elijah Akande which was presented as genuine.
” That you Oyerinde Oluseye, Obilana Amos, Yekini Adisa Olaoye and Adebayo Nasiru did also presented a Medical record to the court for proceeding bail.
” That You oyerinde Oluseye, Obilana Amos, Yekini Adisa Olaoye and Adebayo Nasiru on the said date, time and place did express information knowing to be false to the police.
The offences were said to be contrary and punishment under Section 516, 467, 118and 125a Cap 34,Volume ii Laws of Osun State 2002.
However, speaking with our correspondent after the case the complaint, His Royal Majesty , Salu of Edunabon, Oba Oladepo Olatunde Kehinde (JP) said he decided to withdraw the case against the defendant because of future and that they were his subjects.
He said he withdrew the case against his subjects because of future, adding that he wanted to lay a good lagacy for his children and family because his own father laid a solid foundation for him and that what made what made him where he’s today
He said: “I withdraw the charge against the four accused Persons because what they did is barbaric and is a great offence because they were charged for conspiracy, penury and forgery. And we have proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and we have concluded the process and today is their judgement.
“I now wrote a letter of withdrawal to the court that I don’t want the court to deliver the judgment because everybody knows that if the judgement was delivered against them today, the four of them would be taken to the prison today and as a Traditional ruler of the town if four of my subjects were taking to the prison I won’t be happy. They are my subjects and everything is going to become an history in the future
“Nobody has ever called me that this is what my father did in the past in Edun-Abon and that’s why I used his name to be on the throne today and my children they are still going to used my name.
I leave everything for God . For the peace to continue to reign in my town that is why I withdraw the case .
“You can see that their lawyer was thinking me, greeting me even the judgement that the Magistrate passed on them was not written in my letter I just put it in my letter that I forgive them that the judgement of today should not be passed on them. It’s the court that pronounced that because of the level of their offence the court now bound them over for one year.
“The court even went ahead and said that if four of them participate in any function in Edun-Abon whosever that saw them should come and tell the court what that means is that God has vindicated me and I give Glory to almighty God.” The monarch said.
He added, “If court wanted to sentence them; for perjury 14 years Imprisonment, Forgery 4 years imprisonment, conspiracy two years, if you add it together you know the number of years they would spend in prison.
“The Magistrate has tampered justice with mercy with them that means the Magistrate really concur with my letter, I really appreciate the Magistrate , almighty God will continue to strengthen him and be with him in his life.”
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