Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez, was on Monday, May 25, 2026, arrested within the premises of the Osun State High Court in Ede and subsequently remanded in Ile-Ife Correctional Centre following the execution of a bench warrant issued against him in a separate land dispute case. The monarch’s arrest occurred moments after he had appeared before Justice Kudirat Akano alongside four co-defendants in an ongoing criminal trial involving allegations of arson and armed robbery dating back to 2019. As the court session ended, operatives of the Police Prompt Response Unit, who had positioned themselves outside the courtroom, moved in and arrested the traditional ruler. The arrest was based on a bench warrant issued on May 18, 2026, by Justice L.O. Arojo, after Oba Azeez and one Kabiru Raheem failed to appear before the court in another case instituted by the Osun State Government. Justice Arojo ordered their arrest and detention pending their appearance on June 5, 2026. According to police sources, a separate court order directed the arrest of the two defendants and their remand at either the Ilesa or Ile-Ife correctional facility.
The monarch is facing multiple criminal allegations across separate suits. In the case before Justice Akano, the defendants—including Oba Azeez, Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran, and Sarafadeen Abioye—are accused of committing offences on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Oloba within the Ede Judicial Division. The prosecution alleged that the defendants, armed with firearms and other offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats, and other domestic animals valued at approximately N10 million. They are also accused of arson and destruction of farmland and crops valued at over N200 million. At Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel M.A. Atobatele called four additional witnesses, including three police officers and the palace secretary. One of the police operatives, Assistant Superintendent of Police Akindosu Olusoji, testified that it was the monarch who had initially reported the destruction of his farm to the police. The officer told the court that investigations at the farm revealed labourers spraying chemicals on maize crops, leading to the arrest of individuals found at the scene, none of whom were among the defendants standing trial.
In a separate case, the Osun State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, filed suit No. HED/4C/2025 against Oba Azeez and Kabiru Raheem over allegations of forceful entry and destruction of crops valued at over N17 million on a farmland in Iloba town. The defendants were accused of taking possession of a farmland occupied by Raheem Adeleke Taofeek and engaging quarry operators to extract sand and other materials from the site, resulting in the destruction of cashew trees, cassava, maize, and other crops. The monarch and other defendants had been previously remanded in 2024 over similar allegations before being granted bail. His wife and four others were also arrested and arraigned earlier in May 2026 over attacks on police officers and destruction of property in Iloba community.
Confirming the arrest, Osun State Police Command spokesperson SP Abiodun Ojelabi said officers acted strictly based on a valid court order. “There was an arrest and remand warrant that had been issued. The monarch was arrested and remanded in Ile-Ife correctional facility based on the court order,” Ojelabi stated. The monarch’s family members and subjects were said to be shocked by the turn of events. Efforts to reach the palace secretary for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of this report. The case has been adjourned to June 5 for the bench warrant matter, while Justice Akano adjourned the arson case to June 17 for continuation of hearing.
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