An Osogbo-based lawyer, Mr Dele Abbas, has petitioned the Osun State Judicial Service Commission, demanding a probe into the circumstances surrounding the release of a local government chairman, Mr Tajudeen Babatunde and 4 orders, serving 4 four-year jail term for malicious damage of a farm.
Abbas directed his petition dated September 12, 2024, to the Secretary, Osun State Judicial Service Commission.
The lawyer recalled that Babatunde, an ex-caretaker chairman of Iwo West Local Council Development Authority, was sentenced alongside three Beninois citizens, Sunday Ajoko, Jonas John, and Kohonu Deboye to 4 years imprisonment.
Others jailed on June 6, 2024, by the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A. Famuyide, sitting in Osogbo, after trial on four counts of conspiracy, malicious damage, and arson in suit number: MIW/68c/2019, also include; Adeoye Alabi and Kasumu Ajao.
They were found guilty of the destruction of 400 palm trees and other economically valuable trees, worth around N10 million in Ayigbiri Oripekere farm located along Iwo/Ibadan road, Iwo, Osun State.
The 3rd convict was however given an option of N20,000 fine on each of the counts due to his advanced age.
But, Abbas in his petition, alleged that the 5 convicts were released on bail by another magistrate court, sitting in Iwo, presided over by Mrs. A Oyebadejo on July 10.
Expressing concerns over the release of the convicts, Abbas, said the State Ministry of Justice which prosecuted the case that led to the conviction of the 6 men, though entered appearance in suit number MIW/M.24/2024, but did not file an objection to the post-conviction bail applications of the convicts.
He subsequently urged the Commission to, “Investigate the abuse of judicial powers by his Worship, Magistrate A. Oyebadejo (Mrs) of the Chief Magistrate Court 1 Iwo and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“Prevail upon His Worship, Magistrate A. I Oyebadejo to have his order vacated without delay and return all the five convicts released by him to the correctional centre, Ilesa, Osun State, where they were serving their jail terms in the best interest of justice.”
Efforts to get reactions to the petition from the Secretary, Osun State Judicial Service Commission, Mrs Abosede Fagbola and the State Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, failed.
Responses to text messages asking for their reactions to issues raised in the petition, sent to the two officials early on Sunday were still being expected as of the time of filing this report on Monday.
Calls to their lines on Sunday and Monday also rang out.
Mrs Fagbola, who called our correspondent after receiving the text on Sunday, when asked for her response said “Don’t worry, you will get response.”