Arson charges have been filed against seven defendants accused of conspiring to set a complainant’s N18 million vehicle ablaze in Ogun State following a dispute. The suspects pleaded not guilty before an Abeokuta court.
Seven men have been arraigned before an Isabo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, over allegations of arson and malicious damage to property.
The defendants – Musiliu Akinsanya, Nurudeen Ogunlaja, Olasoju Johnson, Tunde Solanke, Jimoh Ogunlaja, Kabiru Shobola and Mathew Akinsanya – are facing a two-count charge bordering on alleged arson and destruction of property.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on May 16, 2026, at Iporo, Shopeyin Village in Owode Obafemi Local Government Area of Ogun State.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired to set ablaze a Nissan Vanette C20 vehicle valued at N18 million, belonging to Mr Ebenezer David.
Olu-Balogun alleged that the incident stemmed from a dispute over claims that the complainant was involved in a relationship with the wife of the fourth defendant, Tunde Solanke.
The prosecutor told the court that Solanke allegedly accused the complainant of impregnating his wife, prompting him and the other defendants to allegedly set the vehicle on fire.
He further alleged that the complainant had been receiving death threats from the fourth defendant before the incident, forcing him and his family to relocate to another community for their safety.
Following the alleged attack, the complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the seven defendants.
The prosecution said the alleged offences contravene Sections 443 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006. Chief Magistrate A.K. Araba granted each defendant bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered that the sureties must be registered bondsmen with the Ogun State Judiciary.
The matter was adjourned until August 3, 2026, for hearing.
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