The traditional chiefs in Isolo, Lagos, have debunked a claim that the newly-installed Osolo of Isolo, Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi Shekoni, is a criminal.
The chiefs passed a vote of confidence on the new monarch on Monday during the ninth day coronation held at the palace.
Speaking on the viral video in which the then Prince Abiodun Shekoni was handcuffed by police detectives over a land dispute, the Agbaakin of Isolo, Chief Yahya Lawal Arowooye, said the allegation is baseless and unfounded.
According to him, the allegation is the handwork of detractors who are bent on tarnishing the name and integrity of Oba Shekoni.
He said: “We have not installed a criminal as being speculated because Oba Shekoni is a man of integrity and impeccable character. What happened is purely a land dispute within the Ojo Orisadeko Asalu Elemo Royal Family at Ajao Estate. As we speak, no court has pronounced him guilty of such allegation. Hence, it remains in the realm of mere speculation. We all know the overzealous nature of the police sometimes. Those behind the video are only out to tarnish his image and I expect the state government to call those behind it for questioning.
Read Also: Surulere LG chairmanship aspirant commends Tinubu on launch of 8,000 PHCs
“For us in Isolo, we have installed our new king with the consent and approval of the state government. Detractors only want to destabilize the smooth succession to the Osolo throne. But thank God Isolo is a non-violence community and we are moving on.”
The Lisa of Isolo, High Chief Akibu Aregbe, described the allegation as pure nonsense. He said: “Our new king is not a criminal. For those involved in land matters, this is no big deal because disputes over land matters are a normal occurrence. We have installed a new king and we have all accepted him because the crowd that daily thronged his palace since his installation attests to his acceptability.
“Those behind the video do not love Isolo. If 15 people contested for the throne, only one person would eventually emerge and Oba Shekoni is the chosen one. What I expect from other contestant is for them to rally round the new king to move the town forward if they truly love Isolo. But character assassination is not desirable for our town, this time around” he said.