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Tag: monarch

  • ‘I planned to run to Benin Republic when I got hints that I would be named monarch’

    ‘I planned to run to Benin Republic when I got hints that I would be named monarch’

    The Traditional ruler of Epe community in Lagos, Oba Kamarudeen Ishola Animashaun, has reigned for 13 years. Within this period, he has overseen the transformation of Epe from a sleepy community into an urban settlement. In this interview with OKORIE UGURU, the monarch speaks about his experience as a royal father. He also recalls how he almost ran away to avoid becoming king when he was initially chosen. Excerpts:

     

    For 13 years, you have been the Oba of Epe. Could you share your experience so far?

    Yes, this is my 13th year on the throne and we have crossed so many hurdles. But at the same time, I have enjoyed the interaction with my people. This is in the sense that Epe is the fishing basket of Lagos State.

    There has been a lot of improvement since I came to the throne. The Free Trade Zone (FTZ), the Lagos airport project and many others. The FTZ has opened up our community more in the area of industrialisation. It has also helped in enlightening our people in terms of how the project is being done and what it means. It has been a very big experience for me.

    Then, there is the modernisation of Lagos State, which has brought a lot of things for the Epe people. There has been more enlightenment, industrialisation and development in terms of roads and provision of basic infrastructure for the people. We also know that the government listens to our requests to make life easier than before.

    One thing I can say in all is that I am really enjoying my people. They are happy with me and I am happy with them.

    Did you envisage some of the challenges you have had since you became the king?

    The challenges are more than I had envisaged. To be a traditional ruler is not an easy task because you have to deal with different kinds of people. You have to oversee a community with different tribes and ethnic groups. You know, we have many tribes in Epe. We have the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ijaw and many other tribes. You have to look after these people. You are not supposed to treat them as outsiders.

    You would like to develop your area. You would like to see that your people are not cheated both in the government and the parastatals. And when a matter is brought before you, you have to think very well before you know the judgment to pass. The role of the royal father in the community is very important because he is a kind of bridge between the government and the people.

    Has being a traditional ruler inhibited your ability to do certain things or given you the freedom to do a lot of things?

    As a royal father, there are so many things you can do now that you could not do before, just as there are so many things you could do before that you cannot do now. I can do more, but this is in certain areas. In some areas, I cannot, because the way you used to move with people, play with people here and there, play outside, you may not be able to do that. You have to put yourself in the position of a royal father. You also have to admonish yourself that there were some things you saw as fun in the past which you cannot do any more. You have to look after many things and many people. You would want to take care of the people and control them.

    How was growing up like?

    I was born in Epe and I did my primary and secondary schools here. I proceeded to YABATECH, Lagos. Even after I left, there was no year I wouldn’t be in my home town.

    Any special reason for that?

    My parents were here and there is nothing like home. If I was so far away from home, I would not be in this position. It is because I move and interact with my people. Even this position, I never thought that I was going to be there. I was thinking of another person.

    Another person?

    Yes. Because I did not know how they were going to do it. I was thinking that the late Prof. Agbalajobi would become the next royal father and I would give him all the support. I did not know that all the while, the elders were just laughing. They knew what to do. They had to consult the Ifa oracle. They said they sent about 38 names and I was the one picked.

    Were you surprised?

    I was surprised because I never wanted it.

    Why?

    I was a business man. I had my workshop; a big machine shop. I was selling machine parts to companies like the Nigerian Breweries, Guinness, Flour Mills and so on. I have equipment and they are still intact. I believe in business because I did not work for anyone, I was on my own.

    You never worked for anybody?

    Nobody would say he paid me salary. I have always been on my own. I have many children I have to look after. So, my whole mind was centred on my business. When I spoke to one of the elders who is about 97 years old, Baba Daudu, although somebody from my family had hinted me, and he said I had been picked, I just laughed. I wanted to run away.

    Run away?

    Yes, I am telling you. If not for Baba, I would be in Cotonou (Benin Republic). I am telling you the truth. You may not believe it. All my family members were aware of this. I started making arrangement on how I would run away. That was before I saw the elderly man.

    So, what did he say that convinced you to stay?

    He told me, ‘Kabiyesi, please I know you want to run away.’ How the man knew I wanted to run away is what is still baffling me up till today, because I had not discussed it with anybody except two of my wives. I knew they were not also interested in the position then. The old man referred me to my mother. He said I should go and ask her and let her confirm or otherwise whether at my younger age, the thing had not been mentioned to her.

    That was many years before when I had an accident on the Epe water. I was then about eight or nine years old. It was a ghastly accident and I spent over a year at the Ijebu Ode General Hospital. The day Dr. Adefowope came back from London to work at the hospital was the day I was discharged. It was then that they had already known this and nobody told me.

    Did your mum confirm this?

    I went back to my mum and told her I saw Baba Daudu and he mentioned so, so and so to me. My mum said yes. That was why when they gave me chieftaincy titles, I did not reject them. This is because they were always giving me chieftaincy titles, and when I asked her whether I should accept or reject them, she would tell me to accept.

    She told me Baba Daudu was an Ifa priest. He was among the people who had seen and mentioned this thing in the past. She told me to accept it. She then gave me the Ifa oracle’s name and asked me to go and ask anybody.

    I consulted the churches and they set up prayer groups for me. They told me I had to accept it; that I should not run away. I consulted a Muslim cleric and it was the same thing. I went to Ososa, Hubert Ogunde’s town, and it was confirmed. It was then I surrendered myself.

    Let me be frank, before all these, I never wanted to be the king. I surrendered to lead my people and I must say that I don’t regret it.

    You talked glowingly about your mum, what was her influence on your life?

    Why I talk about my mum is that my father died before some of these things came up. So, it was my mother that I was relating with. I was very close to my mum. A woman who gave birth to 12 children and had only three left, you know how it would be. I was the first born. On what I told you earlier about my accident on the water, she slept under my bed for one year in the hospital, looking after me and not sure whether I would survive or not. My mother and I were close.

    Could you recall one advice your father gave that you would always remember?

    He said: ‘You must be straightforward in whatever you do. Don’t tell lies. Whatever you are doing, be honest with people. No matter what the situation is, don’t deceive people; don’t tell lies’. I took it. If I tell you the truth now and you don’t believe it, I don’t care. I will tell you I have said my own. I know that my mind is clear.

  • Abducted Rivers’ monarch released

    The Eze Ochialiri II of Rumuji, Rivers State, Emmanuel Obisike Eche, who was kidnapped last weekend, has been released at Abual River front.

    One of his sons, Eche Kenneth, said: “My father has been released, for now, we don’t want to say anything but we’re thanking God for everything.”

    A source from the family alleged that the monarch paid N6million ransom.

    “I will tell you that our chief paid N6million to regain his freedom, though nobody in his position will tell you he paid something,” the source said.

     

  • Twin celebration for oldest monarch

    Twin celebration for oldest monarch

    THE rich culture of the Urhobo was on display when the traditional ruler of Olomu marked his 96th birthday and 25th anniversary on the throne. The Owhorode of Olomu, Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro is the oldest member of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and the longest serving monarch in the history of Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The Olomu community was agog as the cream of society came to celebrate with the monarch and his subjects. For the nonagenarian, it was another feather in his cap.

    The monarch was in 2011 installed by the Anglican Communion as the Anglican Royal in the World, a title solely held by him, according to palace sources.

    Decked in an all-red ceremonial attire, with a beaded Royal Canon cone-shaped crown, white ajuju (fan) in his hand, the monarch, accompanied by Queen Grace Ogbon, moved from one end to the other with grace that belied his nearly one century on earth.

    Olorogun Moses Taiga, one of the highest- ranking chiefs of Olomu Kingdom and president-general of Olomu, led other chiefs, including Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to welcome the monarch with the customary traditional homage, singing and dancing. Clasping their wrists and elbows, the chiefs paid obeisance to their king, sang his praise and reeled out his various titles.

    The Oloroguns (chiefs) were resplendent in their flowing wrappers, traditional attires and ivies (beads). Men and women in ceremonial wrappers eulogised the monarch. shouts of Adjuvwe, Adjuvwe rent the air as the monarch rode majestically into the Otorere-Olomu Secondary School, venue of the event.

    There were goodwill messages, from President Goodluck Jonathan and Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Jonathan described the day as a celebration of “twin glorious occasions.”

    He prayed that the legacy of peace, harmony, prosperity and steadfastness, which the Olomu Kingdom is witnessing under the monarch, would endure forever “even as Almighty God blesses you with robust health and many more years of fulfillment.”

    Uduaghan, represented by his deputy, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN), an indigene of Olomu said: “Today is very special and historic, Owhorode is a king who is a recorder of affairs; he is the longest-serving Owhorode. His reign of 25 years has witnessed unprecedented development; we have many sons and daughters of Olomu who are well placed. What else does he need? On behalf of the government of Delta State, we congratulate you.

    “Of course, for being the oldest reigning king in Delta State, we congratulate you. The celebration is a worthy one, I am here representing Delta State people.”

    Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, had kind words for the monarch. He described the Owhorode as a peace-loving man, whose words and actions epitomise his love for his people. The monarch’s reign, he said, had led to an era of peace and development and praying that God would continue to extend his grace to the monarch to reach a century and beyond.

    The chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse, led over 30 high class and top profile traditional rulers to the ceremony.

    The traditional rulers included Orodje of Okpe Felix Mujakperuo; paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu; Agadagba of Egbema Pere Gold Tiemo; Ovie of Uvwie Emmanuel Sideso; Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Richard Ebelle, and Ovie of Evwreni Eruvwedede, among others.

    Also in attendance were former military governor of defunct Midwest Region Maj-Gen. David Ejoor; pioneer Governor of Delta State Olorogun Felix Ibru; Prof. Godini Darah; Prof. Onigu Otite; Olorogun Okiemute Oviri Okwagbe; Olorogun and Mrs. Oscar Ibru; Transition Committee Chairman, Ughelli-South, Olorogun Oviri Uto and Justice Thompson Dugbo.

     

  • Orakwue: All hail the monarch

    Orakwue: All hail the monarch

    To most Nigerians, especially in the Eastern zone, Onitsha in Anambra State is noted for its commerce, as Lagos symbolises the nation’s economic hub. This frontier has been expanded by Onitsha-born artists to include the promotion of cultural activities, especially visual art.

    The home town of Nigeria’s foremost artist famed for painting the portrait of Queen Elizabeth of England, the late Prof Ben Enwonwu, recently celebrated the Ofala festival to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the ascension of Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe to the Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi) throne.

    As part of activities to honour the Onitsha monarch, and appreciate his support for the arts, a group art exhibition, Orakwue featuring 17 artists was held penultimate Saturday, at the Alexis Gallery, on Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The exhibition, which was mainly sponsored by Diamond Bank Plc, among other supporters, attracted leading art collectors and patrons who share in the dream of Alexis Art Gallery, Lagos in lifting Nigerian contemporary arts and artists. It featured 35 paintings, sculptures and ceramics by 17 artists. The core exhibitors are the Onitsha Agbo artists that included George Edozie, Afam Okwudili, George Nwadiogbu, Ato Arinze, Osaji Dubem, Gaby Emengo, Chinwe Uwatse, Frank Anammah and Onyeoma Mbanefo. Other guest artists were Abiodun Olaku, Alex Nwokolo, Gbenga Offo, Duke Asidere, Agorsor Kofi, Fidelis Odogwu, Tola Wewe and Dominique Zinkpe.

    The strength of the group exhibition is its diversity and richness as it featured top-flight painters and sculptors, seasoned hands in the creative business as well as not-too-popular artists who are tapping into the platform to get wider audience for the exposition of their collections.

    Again, the 17 artists were not only from Nigeria but also from West African countries such as Ghana and Benin Republic. The exhibition offered viewers a wide range of high flying Nigerian contemporary artists who are sought after by many collectors. Imagine the richness of a collection that has works by Tola Wewe, Abiodun Olaku, Alex Nwokolo, George Edozie, Duke Asidere among others.

    This spread, according to the proprietor of the two-year-old Alexis Art Gallery, Patty Chidiac was to create a strong formidable creative group for the all important exhibition. She noted that the gallery was excited and privileged to host the monarch on his 10th year on the throne with the group exhibition featuring 40 works from 17 artists.

    Interestingly, the exhibition opening did not take the regular format. It was preceded by a red carpet session. Few hours into the opening, over 10 out of the 40 works on display at the exhibition were tagged. At the centre of the medium size hall of the gallery, is a 78-inch wooden sculpture, Queen by Dominique Zinkpe from Benin Republic. The sculpture which is the cynosure of all eyes depicts a armless African Queen with a crown sitting comfortably on her head. The lower section of the piece- waist to toe- is an intricately produced art that reveals the power, sex and religious influences in the culture of his people. Some of his works are disturbing and arresting constructs of the imagination mirroring the dilemmas and complexities of the artist’s life.

    Ato Arinze’s terra cotta works such as Holy Mother, were also a delight to the eyes just as the paintings kept turning the heads of viewers.

     

  • Supreme Court strikes out motions on monarch’s case

    The Supreme Court has struck out two applications by Chief O. Amachree seeking to stay the execution of a judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

    Amachree brought the applications to stay the judgment which nullified the installation of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, Prof. T. Princewill.

    The applications were filed on October 19, last year and on February 12. Both were struck out with an award of N50,000 each to the first respondent.

    The panel which heard the case comprised Justices Walter Omoghen, Muhammad Saifullah Munkaka Coomassie, Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Olukayode Ariwoola and Musa Dattijo Muhammad.

    The ruling was delivered by Omoghen.

    Chief MacDonald Abbi, for himself and the King Abbi Royal House, who are the king makers of the Kalabari Kingdom in Buguma, Rivers State, had approached the appellate court to set aside the decision of Justice J.M. Kobani of the Rivers State High Court, delivered on December 19, 2005.

    The court refused to grant the order to return the parties to status quo as at March 29, 2000 when the suit against the coronation of a new Amanyanabo was instituted.

    On July 31, 2000, Justice A. Wodu restrained all parties in contest of the stool of the Amanyanabo from taking any step as regards the installation without the consent and participation of all the parties in the suit.

    Others who consent must be obtained, the court held, were all the chiefs of Abbi Royal House, Council of Chiefs, the Karibo Group of Houses, the Buguma Council of Chiefs and the Kalabari National Assembly or any other affected body or bodies.

    But the order was allegedly violated, as the installation took place.

    Following Justice Kobani refusal to restore the parties to the status quo as at March 29, 2000, Abbi appealed at the Court of Appeal, seeking to restore the status quo.

    The appellant also sought to set aside the ruling of Justice Kobani of the trial court which reversed the restraining order made by Justice Wodu.

    The Court of Appeal held in its verdict: “The lone issue canvassed by the appellant (Abbi), is hereby resolved in favour of the appellant and against the respondents. The appeal is hereby allowed.

    “The ruling, including the orders therein, made on 19th December, 2005 are hereby set aside.

    “The appellant made out a case for restorative or mandatory injunction sought. The order made on July 31, 2000 remains extant.

    “The purported installation and recognition of the first defendant/respondent (Chief Prof. Princewill) are consequently set aside.”

    The Appeal Court thereafter ordered the Chief Judge of Rivers State to ensure accelerated hearing of the suit pending at the High Court “by a judge other than Justice J.M. Kobani.”

    The court also awarded N60,000 cost in favour of the appellant (Abbi).

    Following the death of the immediate past Amanyanabo of Kalabari, late King Obaye Abbiyesuku Amachree (X), who died on June 7, 1998, the Throne became vacant.

    Under the Kalabari native law and customs, the five contestants are all eligible to contest for the throne of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom which is now being occupied by Chief Princewill.

    The King of Amanyanabo of Kalabara is a 400 years-old dynasty. It was one of the eight first-class chiefs recognised by the colonial administration in the old Eastern Region of Nigeria.

     

  • Osun community seeks monarch

    Kingmakers in Iwo, Osun State, have been cautioned against “undue delay” in selecting a new traditional ruler following the death of the immediate past monarch, Oba Ashiru Olatunbosun Tesere, in February.

    The monarch was buried immediately according to Islamic rites after which contenders from various royal families declared their intention to occupy the vacant stool.

    Addressing reporters in Iwo yesterday, the umbrella body of all Islamic groups in the town under the aegis of Joint Muslim Action Forum (JOMAF), expressed the need for the kingmakers to fast-track the selection, appointment and installation of a new monarch for the town.

    JOMAF’s coordinator, Mallam Hadiyatullah Abdurasaq, explained that indigenes of the town couldn’t afford to wait for too long without a traditional ruler. He recalled that it had happened in the past when the Oluwo stool was vacant for over 10 years, resulting in retrogression.

    He commended the manner in which the royal families were conducting themselves without rancour. The JOMAF leader noted that the group was only interested in peaceful transition that would produce a new monarch for the ancient town.

    He said: “We call on the kingmakers and the state government to implement the existing gazette to avoid chaos in the process of selection and appointment of new Oluwo as failure to do so will be very dangerous.

    “We urge the kingmakers to quickly address issues that may be causing delay in the selection and appointment of new Oluwo and to carry out this assignment with dispatch, wisdom and sincerity in the best interest of growth and rapid development of this town.”

    The group also said Prince Abdul-Azzez Inaolaji Adio “stands out among all the contenders and that he is qualified to be the next Oluwo, considering his pedigree and antecedents.”

  • Oyo monarch dies at 60

    THE entire people of Saki, a prominent town in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo state, yesterday commenced the mourning of the passage of their foremost traditional ruler, the Okere of Saki, Oba Kelani Olatoyese Olarinre II.

    The Chairman of Saki West Local Government, Hon. Dapo Popoola described the death of the royal father as shocking and a monumental loss to the people of Sakiland and entire Yorubaland.

    Oba Olarinre, who joined his ancestors at about 2am yesterday, was aged 60.

    Popoola, in a release signed by the council Information Officer, Mr, Dauda Aderogba, said the wisdom of the late monarch was yet to be enjoyed because of his short reign.

    He described his reign as extremely peaceful, stating he enjoyed the love of his subjects.

    The Oke- Ogun monarch was on April 9 2012, presented with the staff of office by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, six years after he had been installed.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, in a release his Media Assistant, Alhaji Azeez Fehintola, announced the passage of the royal father after a brief illness.

    His remains were interred yesterday evening in Saki according to Islamic rites.

  • Urban renewal: Yuguda, monarch hail Ajimobi

    Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda and the Olugbo of Igbo, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, have lauded the urban renewal programme of the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration.

    They said it has transformed the state.

    Yuguda spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, when he visited Ajimobi to condole with him on the demise of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, publisher of the Nigerian Tribune.

    Yuguda said he noticed significant improvements in the environmental sanitation, infrastructural development, renovation and beautification of buildings, including the Governor’s Office and other ministries at the State Secretariat.

    He said: “Seeing is believing. Everybody is conscious of the new environment. I congratulate you on the physical changes in Ibadan. We can compare Ibadan favourably with Lagos in terms of cleanliness. We can see the orderliness and the infrastructure under construction. Residents are happy with the massive infrastructural development.

    “This office has witnessed a transformation. I was here in 2003, when I was in the Ministry of Transport as Minister of State, and in 2005 as Minister of Aviation, and I know what I saw here.

    “This morning, when we went to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo to sympathise with him on the fire that gutted a part of his palace, we enjoyed the peace reigning in the state.

    Commiserating with the people of Oyo and Ogun states, as well as the Awolowo family, on Oluwole’s death, he said: “We have lost one of the greatest sons of Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace.”

    Ajimobi lauded Yuguda’s leadership quality, describing him as a rare administrator.

    He said: “If you can have more governors like Yuguda in Nigeria, this country will definitely improve. Yuguda is one of the most intellectual governors I have ever met. He has the ability to keep relationships. He lubricates the human cord that ties you together. He is constantly nurturing and tendering his relationship with you. He remains the only governor from across the Niger, who came to commiserate with us during the 2011 floods and he made a substantial donation. He is very humble and unassuming.”

    Oba Akinruntan spoke at the inauguration of a book in honour of the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at the D’Rovans Hotel, Ibadan.

    Oba Akinruntan said: “With your leadership quality, you have transformed Oyo into another London. I associate with you and urge you to keep it up. If there is anything I can do to return you for a second term, I will do it. I urge the people to support Ajimobi.”

  • Bayelsa govt owns terrorists’ Lagos hideout, says monarch

    Bayelsa govt owns terrorists’ Lagos hideout, says monarch

    The house where security operatives arrested nine suspected terrorists, including a Chadian, in Ijora-Badia, a Lagos mainland suburb, belongs to Bayelsa State government, a monarch claimed.

    Yesterday Ojora of Ijora, Oba Fatai Oyeyinka Aromire, in whose domain soldiers attached to Lagos internal security outfit – Operation-MESA, arrested the suspects accused the government of Bayelsa State of complicity in the presence of terrorist suspects in Nigeria’s economic hub.

    Oba Aromire blamed the government for abandoning the property, a development he said encouraged miscreants to use it as a hideout.

    He said all the efforts made in the past by him and security agencies to get the Bayelsa government to either demolish the building or lease it out, considering the dangers of leaving it empty, yielded no result.

    There were no comments from the Bayelsa government whose official promised “to get back to” The Nation.

    The royal father, who frowned at the discovery of ammunition, including two AK47 rifles in his community, said it was God who saved the state from the suspected terrorists.

    The Ojora spoke during a courtesy visit of Hausa leaders, led by the Chairman of the Council of Arewa Chiefs in Lagos, Alhaji Kabiru Garuba, to his palace.

    He alleged that the attack being planned by the suspects was meant to cause mayhem the Centre of Excellence. He warned the Hausa leaders to reign in their men.

    According to him, the suspects were living under the umbrella of the Hausa people, who have been residing in the area for many years without crisis.

    Oba Aromire urged the Hausa leaders to evict anti-social elements in their midst to avoid the wrath of the law.

    His words: “Discovery of such factory in Ijora was very sad to me and the entire family of Ojora. It was God that saved the whole Lagos because the attack was meant to destroy the state as a whole and not Ijora alone.

    “But let me state here clearly that you should warn your men very well. Lagos is no-go area for miscreants. Although, they call the perpetrators Malians and Chadians, but they reside among your people here in Ijora.

    “Please, talk to them and call them to order because if they refuse to desist, the result will be disastrous for them.

    “I also want to say that the blame should also go to the Bayelsa State government for not taking care of their abandoned house where the evil doers are using as the hideout.

    “We have been talking to them for a very long time to come and lease it out for the people that will make use of it, but they refused.

    “If you ask the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in this area, he will tell you all our efforts to ensure that they come to either demolish or give it to the people that will make use of it, but they are yet to respond.”

    The Seriki Hawusawa, (Alhaji Garuba), condemned the incident and described the Arewa residents as peace-loving people who have been living in Lagos for a long time.

    He said that the Arewa community will ensure that nobody hide under its umbrella to perpetrate evil.

    Ninety-three suspected terrorists were yesterday handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command by the police.

    It was reliably gathered that the suspects were mainly Chadians, Malians and Nigeriens.

    Command spokesman of the NIS, Mr. Muyiwa Odunubi, who confirmed receiving the suspects from security agents, said the suspects would be paraded today by the Immigration command.

    “I can confirm to you that we received 93 suspected Boko Haram members who were handed over to us by the police and other security agencies,” he said.

  • Police quiz Ondo monarch for ‘murder’

    The police in Ondo State yesterday interrogated the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, over his alleged involvement in the killing of Prince Titiola Lebi.

    Oba Odidiomo was invited following a petition sent to the Police Commissioner by the deceased’s lawyer, Chief Juwon Shemudara, who accused the monarch of complicity in Lebi’s murder.

    The police had earlier arrested eight subjects of the monarch.

    Sources said Oba Odidiomo arrived at the Police Headquarters on Igbatoro road, Akure, around 12:15pm.

    He was brought in a black Siena bus.

    Oba Odidiomo, dressed in white native attire, was reportedly led to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he was quizzed for several hours.

    The monarch was still being interrogated as at press time.

    A senior police officer, who spoke in confidence, said: “I do not think the man would be allowed to go home today (yesterday) because the allegation against him is serious.

    “We have to do our job properly and ensure that justice is done. We are not saying the monarch is guilty or not. His interrogation will throw more light on the issue.”

    The late Lebi and three of his friends, according to Shemudara, were allegedly seized by some palace boys at Igbokoda on March 13 and taken to Odidiomo’s palace, where they were brutalised.

    Shemudara said he reported the matter to the police at Igbokoda, who stormed the palace to rescue the boys. He said only two of them boy’s were rescued and the late Lebi was nowhere to be found.

    Lebi’s body was found floating on the Igbokoda river three days later.