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Tag: monarch

  • Give me my staff of office, monarch tells Ekiti

    Give me my staff of office, monarch tells Ekiti

    THE Ekiti State government has been called upon to give official recognition to the stool of the Olukere of Ikere for the sake of equity, justice, fair play and peace.

    The Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Ayodele Obasoyin, made the call yesterday while addressing a news conference to mark the beginning of this year’s Olosunta Festival in the town.

    The festival, which comes to a climax on Saturday, marks the beginning of the community’s New Year with eating of the new yam and praying for peace and prosperity for the town and its people.

    The Olukere, whose stool is yet to be accorded official recognition, is locked in a battle for supremacy with the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, who is a first class traditional ruler in the state.

    The supremacy crisis put the community on the edge few months ago with some youths protesting the alleged destruction of Olukere’s billboard in Odo Oja area of the community by armed security officers allegedly acting on instruction of Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Obasoyin maintained that the government website confirmed that Ikere has two monarchs -the Olukere and the Ogoga-both of whom are on the payroll of the state government.

    He urged the government to do the needful by giving him the staff of office and begin the payment of stipends to the palace of the Olukere, which was stopped by the military government in the old Ondo State in 1989.

    The Olukere said: “So, our appeal to the state government is to give recognition to the Olukere and give us the staff and all other right attachments to the office.

    “When I got to this throne, what I read on the website of the state government is that there are two obas in Ikere and that both of them are on payroll of government.

    “If there is nothing wrong somewhere, why is one denied recognition and not being paid? I wrote to the governor on the strength of this with the expectation that he would actualise it.

    “I later wrote petitions to the state House of Assembly and the Council of Traditional Rulers that this should not be so. The Council of Traditional Rulers has taken up the matter to look into the whole issue.

    “Hopefully, my expectation of government is to do the right thing by not making the landlord the tenant, by making the landlord the landlord and giving all due entitlements of an oba to the Olukere.

    “Our efforts are to ensure the state government rights the wrong. The Olukere is the landlord of Ikere Ekiti. We accommodated the Ogoga. It is strange that the government now recognises the tenant over and above the landlord. This is the situation we want the government to redress.

    “The State Council of Traditional Rulers is at present looking into the matter. We have put the facts before the council and we are expecting the traditional rulers comprising the council to do justice to the matter. We should be given our rightful place.”

     

  • Monarch marks coronation anniversary

    Ejio, an ancient town of Owu in Southeast of Arigbajo Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State bubbled recently when sons and daughters of the community converged to identify with their king, Chief Oluwasesan Ajani Ogunmuyiwa as he celebrated his first coronation anniversary. Twenty-eight illustrious sons of the community were also conferred with chieftaincy titles.

    Baale Ogunmefun, who succeeded Chief Reuben Olufemi Obidahunsi who passed on some years ago, was installed by Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu, the custodian of the people’s traditional heritage.

    In appreciation to the people for the honour done him, Chief Ogunmefun said: “I shall never forget this warm and touching expression of love and honour which came to a man that was selected from among his fellow brothers of this great community.”

    He said the position of a Baale symbolises power and might, adding that he has been entrusted with the responsibility to serve the people better.

    He urged those conferred with chieftaincy titles to be kind and considerate as well as contribute to the development of the community.

    Six indigent but brilliant pupils of the Local Government Nursery and Primary School, Ejio received scholarship from Chief Ogunmefun.

    They are Adediran Amidat, Adebayo Abiodun, Uche Esther, Opajobi Tawa, Akolawole Akorede and Olawale Folakemi.

    Reeling off his achievements since he ascended the throne, the monarch said he had graded Ejio road, constructed markets and additional classrooms to ease congestion in primary schools, constructed mini-palace for Ejio cabinet chiefs, allotted one acre of land for modern palace and the existing unity and peace in Ejio land.

    He solicited the support of Ogun State government in the construction of Arigbajo-Ejio-Abese Road, modern market and palace.

    Tracing the origin of the town, the monarch said Ejio town was founded in 1860 by Adebolajo Olabadewu, the son of Amule. Inhabitants of the town are predominantly farmers.

    Ejio is a traditional title in Yoruba land, particularly Owu Kingdom with many traditional deities.

    Dignitaries that attended the event were former Permanent Secretary Lagos State government, Dr Omolaja Omofade, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, Oba M. A. A. Gbadebo, Oba Rasaki Famuyiwa, Oba Olufemi Adewunmi Ogunleye, Oba Kabiru Adisa Awotunde, Oba Oluwagbemileke Babajide, Rev. Peter Erinoso, Chief Moshood Akinsola; Chief S. O. Kehinde, Chief O. S. Ababowale, Prof. Ayinde Solola, Chief Koleade Sokunbi, Chief Oladiji Adekola and Chief Risikirulatu Atobatele.

  • SAHEED OSUPA, MONARCH CLASH OVER CHIEFTAINCY TITLE

    A traditional ruler in Omole, Ikeja, Lagos has asked fuji music star Saheed Osupa to renounce the title adopted on the CD sleeve of his album, Agba Akin Omole.

    In a letter to Saheed Osupa dated July 16, 2016, Alhaji Taiwo Nasiru Bakare, the Baale of Omole, said Omole is under his jurisdiction in Lagos State and the previous holder of the title was Late Olugbenga Adefolarin, an editor with the defunct TNT Newspaper who was given the title in 1999 while the present holder, World Cruiser Heavy Weight Champion Bash Ali (OON), was given the title in 2012.

    According to Alhaji Bakare, the title, Agba Akin Omole, displayed on the Osupa’s album sleeve is misleading and that Osupa should apologise in three national newspapers or risk being sued.

    “How is it now possible to claim chieftaincy title of a town in Lagos state under Ikeja Local Government to someone else,” Alhaji Bakare said in the letter.

    “Your action embarrass the people of Omole Community indigene and Lagos State as a whole, I was installed as Baale of Omoleland. Alh Taiwo Nasiru Bakare since 2nd October 1999 without any confrontation or molestation, I hereby request for letter of apology for your action within 7 days to be forwarded to Omole community through our Secretary, and to disclaim such in three national newspaper to avoid legal actions.”

    Alhaji Bakare also said he should correct the title in his CDs and posters.

    However, reacting to the development, Adeola Okunola, Osupa elder’s brother, said the title was given to Saheed Osupa by the Olojudu of Ojudu. Though he admitted the error, he was unapologetic to the Baale’s stance of Osupa apologising, heaping any blame on the marketer.

    “To set the record straight, Osupa does not ‎owe the community any apology,” he said, in an email statement.

    “He has never claimed to be the Agbaakin of Omole but that of Ojodu. And he will not claim so, unless he is installed as such. So, why the fuss?

    “The marketer, in a bid to make sales or mistakenly, may have used the title. We all know how marketers do their work. The Kabiesi in the disc, is that of Ojodu and not Omole. He sang it in his music‎. They should go and watch the disc, over and over.”

    Dismissing the threat of court action by Alhaji Bakare, Okunola urged those complaining to listen to album and said that Osupa will not stoop low to achieve fame.

    “If they are playing, they should stop the joke,” he said.

    “While we are not saying that some people might have motivated them to issue such in order to malign the soaring popularity of our principal, we urge the community leaders and stakeholders to listen to the said album again.

    “As a cultured person who was brought up by disciplined parents, our principal would have loved to react more than this because we wonder why someone would open his mouth and say that “Your action is embarrassing to the people of Omole”. For us, our principal does not owe anybody the smallest of apologies; they should contact sound legal minds to explain things for them.

    “Despite the fact that Osupa is educationally sophisticated, he knows what is wrong from what is right and he is somebody who works harder‎ to earn the fame he enjoys today and not one of those who will stoop so low to achieve fame, at any cost.”

    Lekan Yusuf, a cameraman, whose outfit is Hayzed Pictures, also said there shouldn’t be any controversy. “It is just the title of the album,” he said.

    There has been a raging supremacy battle between Saheed Osupa and Wasiu Alabi Pasuma with fans of both artistes at each other’s necks.

  • Monarch appeals case over dethronement

    OBA of Shasha Kingdom in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State, Babatunde Akanbi Nasiru Ogunronbi, has appealed against a Federal High Court verdict on a chieftaincy suit against him.

    He also petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, over an alleged plot  to “forcibly and unlawfully dethrone” him while his appeal is pending.

    The appeal is in respect of a judgment delivered by Justice Musa Kurya in a suit filed by Babatunde Ismail.

    Ogunrobi said he learnt of moves to have the judgment executed before his appeal is concluded.

    The appellant said when the case came up on June 27, the court did not entertain any arguments from his lawyer in respect of the application for stay of execution, on the basis that there was no stamp of the Court of Appeal on the Notice of Appeal.

    He said the judgment in which N30million was awarded against him was arrived at on the basis of concealed facts.

    Ogunronbi said he also filed a second appeal against a ruling by the court refusing to set the judgment aside following an application by some of the parties.

    He is also praying the court to stay execution of the verdict.

    The monarch is urging the CJ to intervene so as to expedite the release of the case file to enable his lawyer compile the record of the appeal.

    The monarch is contending that the bid to forcefully dethrone him from the Obaship of Shasha is illegal because the Federal High Court has no business with chieftaincy matters.

    Besides, he said a suit on the kingship tussle, numbered ID/628/2012, between Madam Asabi Aje and Others vs  Governor of Lagos State is pending before Justice Doris Okuwobi of the Ikeja High Court.

    The Monarch appealed to Justice Auta to “forestall further oppressive, unlawful, arbitrary and unjust use of judicial powers against me”.

  • Plateau monarch’s murder heightens insecurity worries

    Plateau monarch’s murder heightens insecurity worries

    The death of Da Lazarus Agai, a Plateau State traditional, has intensified concerns on safety and whether his murderers will ever be found. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    IT is starting to feel like double tragedy. First, prominent people are murdered, one after another. Then, all the people hear is that their killers are unknown. That was how Plateau State residents felt when Da Lazarus Agai, the Saf Ron Kulere, was killed in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.

    The first-class chief, who chaired the Bokkos council of traditional rulers,  was murdered alongside three others.

    The list of victims of assassins in the state is growing alarmingly, triggering questions as to whether those murderers are indeed unknowable. Will the security agencies ever find them?

    Protesters in Bokkos and Jos  amplified these fears on their placards. One read, “We want to know the unknown gunmen”. Another asked, “Who is next on the list of the unknown gunmen?” Yet another demanded, “Security agencies should wake up”. There were others.

    Senator Gyang Dantong representing Plateau North, and   Hon James Gyang Fulani in the state House of Assembly were murdered in 2012. Their killers have not been found.

    The killing of the Bokkos monarch shook up the people afresh, considering the manner the 75-year-old chief was silenced by unknown assailants.

    Many have scoffed at security claims that the killers are unknown. Such excuse is no longer tenable in the state which has witnessed more attacks than any other in the federation. The people are becoming frustrated with the unending incidences of unknown gunmen that have sent hundreds of Plateau citizens to their early graves.

    The state police command, in their preliminary report, said three persons were killed alongside the chief while five others were injured. Of the three that died with the chief, two were members of his family, the only one that has no blood relation with the Da Agai was his police orderly.

    The death of the chief sent a wave of fear across the state. Everyone feels not safe if top community leaders could be trailed and hacked to death in such a manner.

    Every sympathiser trooping into the palace has been reminding the security agencies that this killer or killers should not go unpunished like others.

    A member representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Istifanus Gyang offered his condolences.

    He said, “The news of the daylight terror attack that claimed the life of our royal father the Saf Ron Kulere  HRH Da Lazarus Agai, a first-class monarch reputed as an advocate of peace has thrown Plateau State into a mournful state of shock.

    “The unfortunate and condemnable incident came at a time Plateau people were getting  accustomed to an atmosphere characterised by God- given peace. This tragic incident has again amplified and brought to the fore the atrocities of the notorious “unknown gunmen” as a topical issue of national concern and discourse.

    “Questions begging for answers in the minds of many a Plateau citizen are many. For instance, for  how long will the so-called unknown gunmen continue to attack and overrun  communities across the nation, killing with reckless abandon and imperial gusto, manifesting  devastating terror and displacement capacity comparable to and in some instances even superior to Boko Haram,  remain unchecked by the elaborate  state security apparatus of our nation? When will the Nigerian state show and extend the needed empathy and attention to the minority victim communities whom after being heavily devastated and displaced by violent  terror attacks watch helplessly as national and international resources are massively  being mobilised to develop the Northeast region ravaged by Boko Haram?”

    The killing of the chief of Bokkos coincided with the meeting of Northern Traditional Rulers Committee in Jos. Leader of the group, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III challenged the federal government to fish out the killer as soon as possible.

     

     

     

  • Monarch marks coronation anniversary

    Monarch marks coronation anniversary

    The rich Igbo cultural heritage was on display when Eze Godwin Ehirim Nwaebo, traditional ruler of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom in Imo State, celebrated the first anniversary of his coronation. CHINAKA OKORO was there.

    For several hours on May 29, guests from far and near joined the traditional ruler of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Godwin Ehirim Nwaebo, the Duru Imo 11 of Amaimo, to celebrate the first anniversary of his coronation.

    The carnival-like event was held at the playground of Amachara, one of the towns in the kingdom. It was the headquarters of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom. Other towns include Egbelu, Amuzu and Umueze.

    There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breath-taking dance steps by various cultural dancers who thrilled the guests seated before the arrival of the king and other dignitaries.

    It was all glamour and show of opulence, as  about 15,000 people that included members of the Eze’s cabinet, over 20 monarchs from other towns who came to show solidarity with Duru Imo 11, numerous Ndi Nze na Ozo led by the Epum of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, Nze Emmanuel Patrick Onukwugha Ejimonyeabala, Senators led by Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu who represents ferred with chieftaincy titles, you should be conscious of the customs and traditions of the land and uphold them. You all should join hands with the king to preserve the mores of the land and learn some of the salient practices such as the principle of kola nut presentation and how to greet the king and the Nzes. As men of tradition, these are so fundamental.”

    The Traditional Prime Minister of the kingdom, Chief Chukwuma E. Awurum (KSM) said he would do his best to attract government’s presence to the kingdom.

    He said he would ensure that there is unity among the people as well as maintaining the people’s cultures and traditions.

    “I will ensure that our cultural heritage is maintained. Development goes with education, infrastructural enhancement and empowerment of human resources. We pledge to promote education in Amaimo through scholarship scheme for brilliant but indigent students.” he said.

    Senator Anyanwu, who chaired the occasion, praised Eze Nwaebo for selecting young and able-bodied men to be members of his cabinet, stressing that gone are the days when old men constitute an Eze’s cabinet.

    He promised to attract government’s presence to the area, even as he promised that he would use his good offices to ensure that the Atta-Amaimo-Mbaise Road is completed.

    Delivering his keynote speech, former Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Donald Chikadibia Denwigwe (SAN), said peace and unity are the hallmarks for development.

    In his speech titled: Ala Doro (let peace reign), he advised the people to make unity their maxim. He urged the towns that comprised the kingdom to live in peace and be supportive to Eze Nwaebo. Denwigwe reminded them that their king would be identified and honoured based on the level of co-operation he receives from his subjects. Denwigwe pleaded with traditional rulers to lead by example and avoid certain attitudes that may demean their exalted positions.

    High point of the event was conferment of chieftaincy titles on some individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields. They include Chief Sam Emeh, Chief Uchenna Paschal Ojor, Chief Henry Obieze Akujor and High Chief John Ahanonu, among others.

    Dignitaries who attended the event were Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, Jerry Egbuhuzor, Chief Chukwuma Awurum and wife, Lolo Iheoma; Nze Emmanuel P. O. Ejimonyeabala, Donald C. Denwigwe (SAN), Eze Reginald Obo, Eze Andrew Osuji and wife Ugoeze Chinasa; Eze Emma Nwigwe , the Eze Ike I of Ugiri-Ike, Eze Canice A. Obasi and wife, Ugoeze Pauline;

    Others were Eze P. U. Anugwo, Eze Marcel Egemonu, Uri 11 of Umuri, Eze Njoku Peter and wife, Ugoeze Patience, Chief Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, the Ofo 1 of Umuofor, Eze Collins O. Onuoha, his wife Ugoeze Augustina, Eze Victor C. Achionye, Eze Uduneho Ben, Eze Festus O. Osuji, Okenze Chima Valentine Ejionu, Chief Henry Obieze Akujor, Chief Ikeotunye Osuagwu, Chief Theodore Agwaraonye and Chief Uchenna Paschal Ojor.

  • No clue on monarch three days after

    No clue on monarch three days after

    Where is the abducted Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni? The suspense over his whereabouts lingered yesterday, three days after his abduction in his palace last Saturday night.

    His abductors have not contacted his family.

    Sympathisers continued to throng the palace to commiserate with his family.

    The monarch’s son, Saheed Oseni, declined comment yesterday on the step the family is taking to locate his father.

    He ‘however’ denied that Olori Ganiyat, who was shot during the abduction, had died.

    The Nation learnt that some traditional rulers and religious leaders have been visiting the family to offer spiritual advice.

    A red colour canopy was yesterday mounted inside the palace for the sympathisers.

    Around noon, the second in command to the monarch, Otunba Mathew Oyewole, walked in. Clutching a walking stick, he went round greeting the sympathisers and imploring them to continue to pray for monarch’s safe return.

    Members of the panYoruba cultural organisation Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Mile 10, Ilaje branch visited the palace early yesterday.

    One of them, who asked not be named, said they came to commiserate with the family.

    “The Oniba is our father. He has been a good king to all of us regardless of religionus or ethnic affiliation. This is why we have mobilised ourselves to visit this place,” he said.

    On adopting a surveillance strategy, he said: “We have only come here to show empathy. To embark on what you just requested require the order of our leader Without him, we can’t make any move.”

  • How monarch was abducted, by wife

    How monarch was abducted, by wife

    •Family: no word from kidnappers

    •Lawmaker condemns king’s kidnap

    Who kidnapped the Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni? This was the question many asked yesterday as sympathisers and security agents flocked his palace home after his abduction on Saturday night.

    The police and other security agencies have launched a manhunt for the kidnappers, who were said to have escaped through the bush at Iyegbe  close to the palace.

    Prayers were said in churches and mosques yesterday for the monarch’s release.

    Early yesterday, a voice echoed from inside a white garment church as prayers were said for Oba Oseni. “O God”, the voice began the supplication in Yoruba, “our Oba (Goriola Oseni) was kidnapped last night (Saturday night). This has never happened before in this town because many of us were born here and have lived in peace among ourselves. We, therefore, appeal to you Lord to touch the hearts of the kidnappers so that they will release him in peace…”

    One of the monarch’s wives, Alhaja Nofisat, who was with him when he was abducted around 8pm, said it might have been an insider’s job.

    “The time the kidnappers struck and its swiftness showed that insiders were involved”, she said.

    The Olori said: “Kabiyesi has an outstanding instruction not to see anybody again once it is 8pm. Even his children can hardly see him except it is urgent. So the kidnappers knew the palace was less congested and there was little chance of getting the king rescued. Kabiyesi has his private apartment upstairs but due to the pains in his leg, he stays in the apartment on the ground floor most times. We were both together in his bedroom that Saturday night when we suddenly began to hear loud shouts outside. Kabiyesi was getting uncomfortable with the shouts which he thought were coming from the children, and he angrily came out of the bedroom to warn them to keep quiet. That was when we came eye to eye with the kidnappers who were shouting ‘wey the king! Wey the king!!” in pidgin.

    “They were not wearing masks. Two of them then dragged Kabiyesi by his boxers but I held on to them not to take my husband away. When they realised I would not let go, one of them came forward and gave me a hot slap; that was when I relinquished my hold and dashed back to the bedroom to make some calls to the police. One of them also shot into the roof of the building twice. Meanwhile one of the wives had joined us and followed them as they dragged Kabiyesi outside the palace. When she also refused to let go, they shot her and the security man outside the palace. Then they started shooting into the air to scare people.”

    Another guard, who asked not to be named, said seven men entered the palace to abduct the king; others mounted guard outside. He said as soon as the abductors overpowered Sunday Okanlawon (the shot guard), they locked the palace main gate from behind to prevent residents or security from coming in on a rescue mission.

    He said the kidnappers trekked from the palace, shooting as they moved on before they escaped through the bush at  Iyegbe.

    While Okanlawon died on the spot, the source said the younger wife survived and has been taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) at Ikeja GRA.

    Mrs Adeezat Oseni, a daughter-in-law, said she was oblivious of what was happening until a stranger accosted her within the compound.

    “She said:  “The man asked me: ‘where is the way to the palace?’ Initially, I did not understand. The man grabbed my hand as I led him towards the palace. But As soon as we got nearer, I noticed through the kitchen window that some strange faces were already in the living room. That was when I ran and raised the alarm. The man then pursued me and by the time I was downstairs, I met another stranger who pointed a gun at me and asked me to kneel down and surrender my phone.”

    According to her, those who kept watch outside were masked.

    Among the callers yesterday Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Cornelius Ojelabi and some traditional rulers.

    Mrs Adebule pleaded with the abductors to consider the monarch’s age and health and release him.

    “We are appealing to the abductors to release our king because he is old. Our king is old and his health fragile. Besides, he has no money. We can only beg them to release him as quickly as possible,” she said.

    According to some residents, the kidnappers while fleeing through the waterways also shot dead a commercial transporter who was in his Coaster bus marked AGL 658 XL.

    Officers of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), OP MESA and police patrolled the community yesterday and frisked some people.

    The road in front of the king’s palace was lined on both sides with vehicles.

    The interior of the palace was a Mecca of sorts as sympathisers converged, discussing the incident in hushed tones.

    Family members said the abductors had not called to demand ransom, but police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), told The Nation on phone yesterday that the kidnappers were pipeline vandals who switched to kidnapping after being stopped from destroying pipelines.

    Badmos said besides Okanlawon, the police attention have not been drawn to the two other persons reportedly shot dead.

    “They (abductors) are (pipeline) vandals who have now resorted to kidnapping using soft target because we did not allow them to have their way (in pipeline vandalism) again. This is why we have liaised with our counterpart in Ogun State to beef up security at the coastal lines to further check the excesses of these criminals,” she added.

    Two clerics from the Celestial Church of Christ Iba Parish Superintendent Evangelist Michael Toivde and Solomon Oladipupo came with some of their members and prayed for the family.

    Toivde said in Yoruba: “We have come to identify with the family of our king because he is a good man. Since last night when he was kidnapped, we have embarked on dry fast and we shall not taste anything until our king is found. We have also sent the name of the monarch to our branches for prayers on his safe return.”

    A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ojo Federal Constituency Tajudeen Obasa yesterday condemned the abduction of Oba Goriola.

    The monarch, who celebrated his 40th anniversary on the throne last year, is the father of a former Iba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Chairman, Mrs Ramota Oseni- Adeyeri

    Obasa implored his constituents to remain law abiding, urging security agencies to unravel the mastermind of the “distardly act.”

    He urged those with information that can lead to the monarch’s rescue to come forward, to police promising that such information will be treated in confidence.

  • Ekiti monarch files appeal against removal

    The Owa of Odo Ayedun in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Solomon Ilesanmi Ajibade, has filed a stay of execution and appeal against the judgment of a state High Court, which ordered his removal from the throne.

    His selection and appointment as the Owa was challenged by a claimant to the royal seat, Adekunle Adeniyi, whose prayers were granted by the court sitting in Ikole Ekiti.

    But Oba Ajibade, in a statement day, maintained that since he had filed a stay of execution and an appeal at the Ado-Ekiti Division of the Court of Appeal, he still remains the Owa.

    “There is nothing to celebrate by the petitioner in the judgment given by the lower court,” he said.

    He urged the people of Odo Ayedun to be peaceful and remain calm, noting that the peaceful coexistence of the community remains paramount to him.

    Oba Ajibade emphasised that the law enforcement agents have been mobilised to deal with any person that want to capitalise on the kingship crisis to cause chaos and anarchy in the community.

    The monarch warned against unauthorised installation of chiefs in Odo Ayedun, insisting that he still reserves the powers to appoint chiefs.

    He said: “We are aware of the recent development in our community, Odo Ayedun Ekiti as a result of a judgment rendered by a High Court in respect of the obaship of Odo Ayedun Ekiti in Ikole Local Government, which was misinterpreted by the petitioner.

    “We have appealed against that ruling at the Court of Appeal and we have also filed a stay of execution of the judgment delivered by the lower court .

    “Therefore, there is nothing to celebrate by the petitioner in the judgment given at a lower court by the mischief makers in the community.

    “Since there are grounds for appeal up to the Supreme Court, the petitioner should know that he is into a long haul.

    “I, therefore, appeal to all and sundry in Odo Ayedun community to be law-abiding since our peaceful coexistence is of paramount importance to me as the crowned king of Odo Ayedun Ekiti.”

  • Two killed as gunmen abduct Lagos monarch

    Two persons have been killed as gunmen kidnapped the monarch of Iba Local Council Development Area, Lagos, Kabiyesi Goriola Oseni on Saturday.
    The victim is said to be the father of a former Iba LCDA chairman, Mrs. Ramota Oseni-Adeyeri.
    The gunmen suspected to be militants were said to have stormed the community Saturday night in a speedboat, shooting sporadically.
    They were said to have been about 16 in number and they allegedly killed a motorcyclist and the monarch’s guard, while severally persons were injured.
    It was gathered that residents had initially attempted to stop the gunmen but scampered for safety when the gunshots became unbearable.
    According to a source, Oseni’s eldest wife was injured and rushed to an unnamed hospital, while the gunmen took him hostage and fled through the waterways.
    A source who confirmed on the abduction disclosed that there were also shootings around Agbede in Ikorodu.
    “It’s true that the Kabiyesi was kidnapped. His abductors struck through the waterways and fled through same channel. Policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) went there and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) has been station.
    “Various operations have been going on since last week particularly around Ikorodu. Policemen are still at Ishawo following the attack by militants and there were gunshots at Agbede,” the source said.