A Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo, Osun sentences 31-year-old Rotimi Orowole to three years in prison with hard labour for the false accusation of Dr. Alhassan Ogunleye, the former Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, of plotting to assassinate senior officials of the institution.
Orowole had claimed that Ogunleye hired him to eliminate the then Rector, Dr. John Edaogbogun, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olofu Romanus, and another official, Mr. Elkanah Aruwajoye. He also alleged that Ogunleye provided him with a pump-action gun for the assassination.
Ogunleye testified that officers from the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested him at his Osogbo residence on June 2, 2019, and took him to Lagos following Orowole’s accusations.
However, police investigations later cleared him of any wrongdoing, leading to Orowole being charged with conspiracy, possession of firearms, false accusation, and criminal defamation.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Oyindamola Daramola found Orowole guilty of three charges and sentenced him as follows:
- Two years in prison for possession of firearms, with an option of a ₦50,000 fine.
- Two years in prison for false accusation, also with an option of a ₦50,000 fine.
- Three years in prison for criminal defamation, with an option of a ₦50,000 fine.
The magistrate noted that while Orowole was a first-time offender, the sentences will run concurrently, starting from March 18, 2025.
Read also:
NBA Criticizes APC Chieftain Over Call For Osun Judge’s Probe Amid LG Crisis
NBA President, Afam Osigwe Faults Federal High Court Over Osun LG Crisis
Diezani Seeks Court Order To Reclaim Seized Assets From Buyers
