A factional leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Tolulope Alo, popularly known as Asamo, has been arraigned alongside 10 others before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over an alleged attempt to assassinate a traditional ruler, Oba Adeniyi Adinlewa, the Obaloogun of Igoba land.

The defendants, aged between 21 and 43, face an eight-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms, among others.

Other accused persons include Ayodele Saka (34), Seun Bankole (42), Kolawole Kazeem (35), Bankole Tobi (25), Sunday Amigun (32), Adedayo Ogidan (43), Olaoluwa Kayode (21), Seriki Lateef (35), and Ezekiel Vincent (26).

According to Police Prosecutor, Inspector Sulaiman Adebayo, the offences were allegedly committed between October 1 and 2, 2025, in the Aleo and Imolumo areas of Igoba, within the Akure Magisterial District. The prosecutor told the court that the suspects invaded the community armed with guns, daggers, charms, and other dangerous weapons, attacking residents in what was believed to be an attempt on the monarch’s life.

Adebayo further revealed that police recovered two cut-to-size guns, live and expended cartridges, cutlasses, knives, and a bulletproof vest from the suspects. He added that the defendants also destroyed a Teno mobile phone worth ₦80,000 and tomato crops valued at ₦5,000 belonging to a resident, Mrs. Arowolo Joy.

The prosecutor said the alleged offences contravened Sections 516, 320, 332, 251, 42, and 71 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, as well as Section 5 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. 174, Vol. 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered that the defendants be kept in police custody for one day to enable their counsel to file a counter-affidavit, before transferring them to the Olokuta Correctional Centre.

The case was adjourned until October 10, 2025, for hearing on the remand application.