After spending 59 days in the detention for alleged murder, the Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, has been granted bail by an Ekiti State High Court.
Granting the monarch bail on Friday, Justice Abiodun Adesodun in his ruling on the bail application filed by the Olukere admitted the monarch to bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum.
The judge said the two sureties must swear to affidavits and produce tax clearance certificate showing evidence of tax payment for three years and that one of the sureties must deposit land titles within the jurisdiction of the court.
Commending the ruling, the lead counsel to the monarch, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele said the ruling was symbolic and historic adding "symbolic in the sense that it is in favour of justice and historic in the sense that it will enter into the judicial history of Ekiti."
But the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, left the court before Justice Adesodun finished delivering the ruling.
Justice Adesodun ruled that if released to credible surety, the applicant would not jump bail considering his position as an Oba.
The judge said he had studied the affidavit filed by the defence and the counter-affidavit filed by the prosecution and noted that the grant or refusal of bail was predicated on some factors.
The Olukere was arrested and detained on December 25 last year shortly after his hotel, Arede Royal Suites located in Gbemisola area of Ikere-Ekiti, was attacked and vandalized by some individuals.
Standing trial with the Olukere are Ajewole Sunday, Adetowoju Bode, Kayode Michael, Olowolafe Tola and Aluko Taiwo.
They are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and murder.
The monarch and his supporters gave the suspected hoodlums a hot chase and caught up with them at Ojumose area of Ado-Ekiti.
One of those who allegedly attacked the hotel, Kolade Adefemi, was killed during the scuffle.
The two of the suspected attackers of the hotel, Ayodele Osanyinbola and Babatunde Ayodele, who were kept in custody were released by the Magistrate’s Court following advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Justice Adesodun held that the grant or refusal of bail was at the discretion of the court but “it must be done judicially and judiciously.”
Although the monarch was not present in court on Friday, some of his chiefs, family members and supporters celebrated in hushed tones as the court rose.
