The Igbokoda Division of the Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State has jailed a local monarch, Francis Ogundeji, for disobedience to a court order.

Mr Ogundeji, who is the Baale of the Ebute Ipare community in the Ilaje Local Council Area of the state, was sentenced to three years in prison.

Magistrate E.A. Manuwa delivered the judgement, a copy of which was made available to reporters on Thursday, in Akure, the state capital.

In the judgement, Mr Ogundeji, along with one Thomas Ikuejamoye, was accused and charged for selling a parcel of land in the community in November 2022 against a court order.

The Okitipupa Division of the State High Court had restrained people from selling the land, but the monarch, in connivance with Mr Ikuejamoye, defied this order and sold the land.

Both were earlier arrested after they also backdated the receipt for the sale of the land.

They were charged with a four-count charge relating to contempt of court and falsehood.

A copy of the charge sheet reads, “That you, Francis Ogundeji (M), a farmer, (2) Ikuejamoye Thomas (M), a pensioner, and others at large, sometime in November 2022 at about 12 p.m. at Ebute Ipare Community in the Igbokoda Magisterial District did conspire together to commit an offence, to wit: contempt of court, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

In his verdict, Mr Manuwa found Messrs Ogundeji and Ikuejamoye guilty of three counts out of the four offences and sentenced both men to three years in prison.