The Ondo State Judiciary assured the public of its dedication to upholding justice while acknowledging the possibility of human error and oversight.
The Ondo State Judiciary has launched an investigation into allegations that a chief magistrate in the Ile-Oluji District convicted a suspect without a proper trial.
The suspect, Benjamin Andrew, was arraigned before the magistrate’s court on charges of theft. In the case titled Commissioner of Police vs. Benjamin Andrew (Case No. 25C/MIL 2024), Andrew pleaded not guilty to three counts of stealing cocoa from a farm in Ile-Oluji, located within the Ile-Oluji Okeigbo Local Government Area.
Despite his not guilty plea, the magistrate allegedly sentenced Andrew to three years in prison for each count without conducting a trial.
In response to public outcry over the court’s decision, Ondo State Chief Judge, Olusola Odusola, has convened a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the judgment.
A statement issued by Chief Registrar Yetunde Ajanaku, and made available to journalists in Akure on Saturday, expressed the judiciary’s concern over the ruling and the widespread criticism it has generated, particularly on social media.
“The Ondo State Judiciary has taken note of the recent judgment delivered by a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ile-Oluji on August 12, 2024, in case No. MIL/25C/2024, Commissioner of Police (COP) vs. Benjamin Andrew. The purported Certified True Copies of this judgment have sparked extensive online discussions and public scrutiny,” the statement read.
The statement further noted that the Chief Judge has ordered a thorough investigation to verify the authenticity of the judgment and to assess the procedures that led to its issuance. The judiciary emphasized its commitment to ensuring that court proceedings in the state comply with legal standards and judicial conventions.
The Ondo State Judiciary assured the public of its dedication to upholding justice while acknowledging the possibility of human error and oversight.
The statement also called for calm and thoughtful consideration as the investigation proceeds.
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