In a recent ruling, a former chairman of Iwo West Local Council Development Authority, Mr. Tajudeen Babatunde, along with three Beninios named Sunday Ajoko, Jonas John, and Kohonu Deboye, were sentenced to a four-year jail term by the Iwo Chief Magistrates Court in Osogbo. The court found them guilty of conspiracy, malicious damage, and arson.
Mr. Babatunde, who served as a caretaker chairman, and the other defendants were charged with cutting down approximately 400 palm trees and other economic trees valued at around N10 million at the Ayigbiri Orupekere farm in Iwo, Osun State. After cutting down the trees, they also set the farm ablaze. The defendants were found guilty on all counts and sentenced accordingly.
However, due to his age and ill health, Kasumu Ajao was given the option of paying an N80,000 fine instead of serving the jail term. The presiding magistrate, A. Famuyide, stated that the prosecution had successfully proven the allegations against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
The nominal complainant in the case, the Oosa Olaniyi family, had requested the Osun State Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution from the police, a request that was granted. The court did not award compensation to the complainant but suggested that they pursue compensation matters in another court of competent jurisdiction.
It is essential for justice to be served in cases of malicious damage and arson, as these crimes not only result in financial loss but also pose a threat to the livelihoods and economic activities of individuals and communities.
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