Ondo Judiciary Investigates Alleged Conviction Without Trial
The Ondo State Judiciary has launched an investigation into the controversial conviction of a suspect by a Chief Magistrate in Ile-Oluji, sparking widespread concern. The suspect, Benjamin Andrew, was reportedly convicted of stealing without a trial, despite pleading not guilty to the charges.
The case, involving charge No. 25C/MIL/2024, centers on Andrew’s alleged theft of cocoa from a farm in the Ile-Oluji Okeigbo Local Government Area. Despite his not-guilty plea to the three-count charge, Chief Magistrate Tope Aladejana summarily sentenced him to three years of imprisonment for each charge, bypassing the usual trial process.
The Ondo State Judiciary, disturbed by the backlash this decision has caused on social media and among the public, has formed an investigative panel to examine the court’s actions. The state’s Chief Registrar, Yetunde Ajanaku, issued a statement expressing the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that all court proceedings in the state adhere to legal standards and established judicial practices.
Ajanaku called for calm as the investigation proceeds, assuring the public that the judiciary is taking steps to address the issues raised by this case.
