Court issues bench warrant against Osun monarch

Oba Rasheed Akanbi, oluwo of Iwo

A Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo has issued a bench warrant against the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi following his refusal to appear in court in a case instituted by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, Oba Kadiri Adeoye.

Although Oba Akanbi was represented in court on Tuesday by his counsel, Mr. Olaide Yekeen, Magistrate Olusola Aluko issued the bench warrant despite the application for stay of proceeding; notice of preliminary objection and a notice of appeal filed before the court.

Oba Akanbi was dragged to court by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, who leveled some criminal allegations against the paramount ruler in Iwo land.

The magistrate had at last sitting of the court on December 2nd threatened to issue a bench warrant against the monarch if he refused to appear in court on Tuesday ( today).

PUNCH reports that counsel for Oba Akanbi had told the court that his client had several applications before the court and he told the court that the notice of preliminary objection which bordered on competence and jurisdiction of the court should be heard first before the substantive application.

But counsel for the applicant, Soji Oyetayo, in his submission told the court that the court made an order which the Oluwo had refused to complied with.

The magistrate in his ruling agreed with the respondent ( Oluwo) based on the issue of jurisdiction and said and said the notice of appeal was not ripe.

He said,” The court mandated the first respondent to appear in court. He has violated the court order of the last adjourned date. I hereby issue a bench warrant against him.”