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  • Olofa, ODU hail Kwara Gov, seek support for expansion works on Ibrahim Taiwo Road

    Olofa, ODU hail Kwara Gov, seek support for expansion works on Ibrahim Taiwo Road

    The Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Esuwoye 11 has hailed Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s passion for infrastructural and rural urban development. 

    He called on the people of the community to support the expansion and rehabilitation works recently approved for the popular Ibrahim Taiwo road.

    The Olofa spoke at his palace during a sensitisation visit by the Kwara Commissioner for Works Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, where he sought public support for the extensive construction works.

    On the Commissioner’s entourage were the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographical Information Service Alhaji Abdulkareem Suleiman; Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rafiu Ajakaye; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Infrastructure Engr. Ladi Yusuf; and some senior bureaucrats. 

    The team was received at the Palace by Olofa of Offa with many High Chiefs and the leadership of the Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU). 

    The Olofa commended Governor AbdulRazaq for the project and how his government continues to prioritise the welfare of the people of the state, including Offa community. 

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    The monarch said his subjects are lovers of development and are ready to cooperate with the government and the contractors.

    “We are happy for what brought you here today. We thank His Excellency for always being with us. His Excellency has always shown us that Offa is his second home,” Olofa of Offa said.

    “We are always in support of his good works and laudable projects, and we pray Almighty Allah to be with him in all ramifications.

    “I am sending out my chiefs and representatives to inform the people of the need to support this huge development. Nobody should disturb the contractor under any guise. If you have anything obstructing government’s setbacks, please remove it. This is in our interest.”

    Abdulquawiy said the team visited the First Class monarch to seek his support, especially with a view to educating persons whose temporary structures have taken over road setbacks to give way.

    “We are here in Offa to meet the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II and the Offa Descendants Union (ODU) and to intimate them and the entire Offa community about the reconstruction of Ibrahim Taiwo road,” he said.

    “For us to reconstruct and expand this road, we will need to claim the government setback where we have some temporary structures. So we need their cooperation. 

    “As you all know, this government of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is about the people. There is the need for us to communicate and engage with the community for them to be aware of exactly what our intentions are and what we are doing. We are glad about the reception by the Olofa and the ODU.”

    The Commissioner said the contractors are now on site to proceed with the work, which will last about four months.

    The road will be supported with concrete drainage, solar street lights, and walkways, he added.

    National Vice President for ODU, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, commended the administration for the road project, which he said reflects its commitment to infrastructural growth across the state.

    He urged residents to always respect road setbacks when erecting any structures, saying road setbacks are meant for public advantage.

    “We want everybody to key into what the government is doing. The government is not doing anything that is bad. It is the right thing to maintain the setbacks while building anything. So, the road setbacks belong to the government, and that is what the government is claiming for the good of our community,” he said.

    The Commissioner also inspected the Flyover at Unity, which he said is now 65% done. 

    “We are very satisfied with the quality of work done on this project.

    Just a few days ago, a delegation from Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers was on this site, and they equally issued a statement that the quality that is being done is very satisfactory,” he said.

    “The project is moving at a good pace that we are very happy with. As you can see, we are already standing on the bridge.”

  • Olofa wants more security for Offa

    The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, has called for the deployment of more policemen in Offa to strengthen security.

    Oba Gbadamosi made the appeal on Wednesday when he received the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Aminu Saleh, at the palace.

    Saleh was at the Olofa’s palace as part of his official tour of the command.

    The monarch said the policemen in Offa were not enough to protect the increasing population.

    “Offa is expanding every day, with people from all parts of the world coming to settle for business and education.

    “We need more officers and men of the police to maintain peace. You can’t compare Offa of 10 years ago to the Offa of today. The population is growing faster.

    “Post your men here, we will give them comfortable accommodations,” he appealed to the Commissioner.

    Oba Gbadamosi said the community had built 50 units of two-bedroom flats in response to the April 5 bank robbery, adding that a Guard house, Quarter guard and Armoury were under construction and expected to be completed soon.

    “We hope to start building the Administrative block after Sallah; these facilities are for the policemen posted to Offa,” he added.

    Saleh assured the monarch of proper security for Offa and neighbouring towns.

    He described security as everybody’s business which should not be left for the police alone, and called on the community to support the police to secure life and property.

    The police chief also advised the youths against being used as thugs in the 2019 elections.

    “You should refrain from any form of crime during the elections. Make positive impact and build your future,” he said.

  • Olofa wants more police personnel in Offa

    The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, has called for the deployment of more police personnel in Offa to strengthen security in the town.

    Gbadamosi made the appeal while receiving the Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Mr Aminu Saleh, during his courtesy visit to the palace on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner was at the Olofa’s palace as part of his tour of the Area Commander in Offa.

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    The Olofa said the police personnel in Offa were not enough to protect the ever-increasing population in the town.

    “Offa is expanding everyday with different people from all parts of the world coming to settle down for business as well as education.

    “We need more officers and men of the police to maintain peace. You can’t compare Offa of ten years ago to the Offa of today. The population is growing faster.

    “Post your men here, we will give them accommodation in comfortable apartments,” he appealed to the Commissioner.

    Gbadamosi said the community had built 50 units of 2-bedroom flats in response to the Bank robbery incident of April 5.

    He added that a Guard house, Quarter guard and Armory were under construction and expected to be completed as soon as possible.

    “We hope to commence the building of Administrative block after Sallah celebration,” he said.

    According to the monarch, all these facilities are for the policemen posted to Offa.

    He also urged the commissioner to use his office to invite the Inspector-General of Police to commission the projects after their completion.

    The commissioner assured the monarch of proper security measures for Offa and neighboring towns.

    He described security as everybody’s business that should not be left for police alone, calling on the community to join hands with the Police to secure lives and property.

    He also advised the youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs during the 2019 general elections in the state.

    “You should refrain from any form of crime during the elections. Make positive impact and build your future, ” he said.

    Saleh urged the Olofa to set up a team that would sensitise the youths to stay away from violence.

  • Aregbesola pays condolence visit to Olofa

    Following the armed robbery attack that claimed many lives of in Offa, Kwara State, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the recent armed robbery attacks in Offa, Kwara State, as the worst in the history of the ancient town. He called on security agencies at various levels to beam their searchlights into the incident and launch thorough investigation to unravel the incident.

    He made the call on Friday during a condolence visit to the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Oloyede, at his palace, in Offa, Kwara State. Aregbesola described the attack as barbaric in a modern society, saying no effort must be spared to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to justice. According to him, “what happened last week was very unfortunate, barbaric, saddening and uncalled for. It was like what happened about 132 years ago in this town.

    “I deemed it fit to be here in my capacity not only as a governor but as a brother, friend and in-law to the people of Offa and Kwara State in general. It is on record that our people in Osun have had robust relationship and affection with the people of Offa, prompting us to be here in large number. I came here with members of my cabinet to sympathise with the good people of Offa and Kwara State, particularly the family of those that lost their lives to the unfortunate incident.

    “The incident has once again challenged us on the need to tighten internal security and I am very sure that the perpetrators would not go unpunished. As Muslims, we believe that the incident was God’s will and those that lost their lives have been destined to experience such as we pray God to grant the souls of the departed the best place in paradise and give their family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

    In his remarks, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Oloyede Okikiola, attributed the incident to God’s will. The Olofa noted that the families of the victims and the entire people of the town have taken consolation in God, noting that the ancient town is vastly religious. “What happened to us last week is considered as God’s will, that is why my subjects have been going on their normal businesses. Investigation is ongoing and we are assured that the bandits will be brought to justice in no distant time,” the Olofa stressed.

     

  • Olofa stool: Anxiety as community awaits Supreme Court’s judgment

    Olofa stool: Anxiety as community awaits Supreme Court’s judgment

    There is tension in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, as the people await the judgment of the Supreme Court on Olofa of Offa stool. It has reserved judgment for July 1.

    The Nation learnt that the indigenes are anxious about the judgment.

    The legal tussle is between the incumbent monarch, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi and a contestant to the stool, Prince Abdulrahoof Keji.

    Gbadamosi is of the Anilelerin ruling house, while Keji hails from Olugbense ruling house.

    When the predecessor of Oba Gbadamosi passed on in 2012 and there was need to fill the stool, the Olugbense ruling house cited the rotational policy of the government, as allegedly gazetted in 1969.But the majority of the kingmakers aligned with the position of the Anilelerin ruling house that there must be a contest between candidates of the ruling houses to fill the vacuum created by the late Oba Mustapha Olanipekun, who was of the Anilelerin ruling house.

    One Oba Isiwoye of the Anilelerin ruling house was said to have been deposed, prompting the enthronement of Alhaji Mustapha Keji as Olofa in 1969. But when Oba Olanipekun wanted to succeed the deposed king, the Olugbense ruling house was said to have opposed it on the grounds that the Anilelerin ruling house, with the deposition of Oba Isiwoye, had forfeited its turn.

    The ensuing crisis at the time, which was described as threatening the continued survival of Offa as a town, was said to have prompted government’s intervention, leading to alleged official documents on rotational policy over the throne of Olofa “since 1969”.

    The government after the choice of Gbadamosi by the kingmakers presented him with a staff of office at a ceremony in Offa despite a complaint by the opposing ruling house.

    Displeased with the government’s decision, the Olugbense ruling house filed a suit at the state High Court, Offa, seeking among others, the declaration of the enthronement of Oba Gbadamosi as “illegal, and therefore null and void.”

    The court agreed that the two ruling houses exist in Offa, but in its judgment of July 2012 declared the non-existence of “rotational policy” as alleged by the Olugbense ruling house.

    The Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, upturned the judgment of the lower court, saying it was the turn of the Olugbense ruling house to present the next Olofa.

  • Supreme Court to hear appeals over Olofa stool, Monday

    Supreme Court to hear appeals over Olofa stool, Monday

    The Supreme Court has fixed April 11 for the hearing of the four appeals filed in relation to the dispute over who among the two ruling houses of Olugbense and Anilelerin should produce the Olofa of Offa in Kwara State.

    The appeals are against the July 9, 2013 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, which upheld the evidence led by representatives of the Olugbense ruling house that the appointment to the Olofa stool was on rotational basis between the two ruling houses.

    The appellate held that by the rotational principle, the Olugbense ruling house was entitled to present a successor to the late Oba Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun Ariwajoye II (from Anilelerin house), who died on 2010 and voided the appointment of Alhaji Mufutau Mohammodu Gbadamosi Esuwoye (also from the Anilelerin house) as the deceased Oba’s successor.

    Last Tuesday, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, fixed the hearing of the appeals for Monday after parties resolved  all preliminary issues on the appeals marked SC/647/2013; SC/648/2013; SC/650A/2013 and SC/650/2013.

    One of the appeals is that filed by four kingmakers in the community – Alhaji Yunus Bukoye (Essa of Offa), Alhaji Kadir Kolawole Bello (Ojomu of Offa), Alhaji Oseni Olaniyi (Balogun of Offa) and Alhaji Zikirullah Kola Sanni Olabode (Shawo of Offa).

    The respondents are Alhaji Saka Adeyemo, Alhaji (Prince) Abdulrauf Adegboyega Keji and Prince Saka  Keji (as first, second and third respondents) as the representatives of the Olugbense ruling house in the case.  Also listed as respondents in the appeal include Alhaji Gbadamosi Esuwoye (fourth), Attorney General of Kwara State (fifth) and Governor of Kwara State (sixth).

  • Olofa’s stool: Judge angry over petition against panel

    THE lead judge in the appeal panel hearing the Olofa stool’s case yesterday decried the petition against members of the panel by the Olugense ruling house of Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The three-member panel is headed by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo. The members are: Justices Isaiah Olufemi Akeju and Uchechukwu Onyemenam.

    The Olugbense Ruling House petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Maryam Mukhtar, alleging bias against it in the litigation at the Appeal Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The Appellate Court, in July, declared as illegal the selection and installation of Anilelerin’s candidate, Alhaji Mohammed Mufutau Gbadamosi, as the Olofa.

    Olugbense and Anilelerin are the two ruling houses in the ancient town.

    Following the judgment, the Anilelerin ruling house filed a stay of execution to stop the execution of the judgement.

    The Olugbense ruling house also accused the panel of encouraging the state government “to disobey, disregard or treat court judgement with impunity”.

    During the announcement of appearances for the litigants yesterday, counsel to the Olugbense ruling house, Toyin Oladipo, told the court that he received a copy of the petition there in the court.

    Justice Agbo said: “Do you mean your client is controlling you? We received tendentious petition sent to the CJN, purportedly signed by a member of the ruling house, alleging bias against them. I have never had it so nasty since my 30 years’ practice at the Bar and the Bench. I have put in 10 years and 20 years at the Bar and Bench. I had high regard before my posting here for the Ilorin Bar. But I must tell you this is a nasty welcome.

    “We are not continuing with the case until the CJN decides on the petition. The case is hereby adjourned sine die (indefinitely).”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Deposed Olofa: Hearing on stay of execution begins

    An Appeal Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday began hearing on the stay of execution order filed by the deposed Olofa of Offa, Alhaji Mohammed M. Gbadamosi.

    The court, in July, nullified the selection and installation of Gbadamosi of the Anilelerin royal family and ordered the government to install Prince Abdulrauf Keji of the Olugbense royal family as the rightful Olofa of Offa.

    Counsel to the deposed Olofa (fifth respondent) and the kingmakers (first to the fourth respondents), Rafiu Lawal-Rabana (SAN) and Yusuf Ali (SAN), following the appellate court’s judgment, approached the court seeking two principal reliefs.

    They prayed the court to allow their clients to continue with their traditional roles of administering the community, pending the determination of the appeal at the Supreme Court.

    They said the consideration and installation of Prince Abdulrauf Keji (the second appellant) as the new Olofa of Offa by the Kwara State government (seventh respondent) be put on hold, citing relevant authorities and similar cases.

    But counsel to the second appellant, John Olusola Baiyeshea (SAN), opposed the application.

    The lawyer submitted that there was no special circumstance that could warrant granting the deposed monarch a stay on the stool.

    He said: “Doing so is tantamount to a reversal of the judgment earlier passed by this honourable court.

    “There is no special circumstance that should warrant your lordship’s discretion over this matter. This is because Gbadamosi, in connivance with the Kwara State Government, undermined the decision of this court by continuing in the exercise of the power of Olofa of Offa.

    “Let me also state here that the kingmakers are no longer relevant in this matter because your lordships had declared the appointment and installation of Alhaji Gbadamosi as null and void. To this end, having flouted and desecrated the judgment of this court with impunity, the applicants, therefore, are not entitled to your discretion.

    “The interest of justice will be better served by refusing this application which is meant to diminish the integrity, authority and sanctity of the judgment of this court.”

    The Justice R. C. Agbo-led three-man panel adjourned the matter till October 14 for further hearing.

     

  • Support rally for deposed Olofa

    Scores of protesters, including students, yesterday staged a peaceful rally in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, in support of the deposed Olofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye.

    Last week, a Court of Appeal, sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, voided the installation of Oba Gbadamosi as the Olofa.

    The protesters besieged the palace of the monarch, expressing their solidarity with the monarch.

    They sang solidarity songs and made encouraging speeches to the monarch.

    The protesters carried placards bearing various inscriptions, such as: Mufutau ni gbogbo Offa nfe l’Oba (Muftau is the unanimous royal choice of Offa people); Gbadamosi, ko se yo; e joko je (Gbadamosi is irremovable; stop your opposition); Esuwoye, Oba tuntun, Offa tuntun (Esuwoye, a new king; Offa, a new town) and E gbagbe ote; ilosiwaju la nfe (Forget hostilities; It’s development we want).

    The National Coordinator of Offa Students’ Leaders’ Forum Lukman Salahudeen said the dethronement of Esuwoye portends a setback to Offa.

    He explained that the monarch, during his reign, contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the community.

    The students’ leader called for the intervention of state and Federal Governments to foster peace in Offa.

    Also, the chairman of the local government when Esuwoye was installed in 2010, Segun Olawoyin, has said the state government committed no wrong in installing the deposed monarch.

    Olawoyin said the state did not participate in choosing Esuwoye but only installed him following the recommendation of the kingmakers.

    He said: “I think the state government has no problem. It was not wrong at the time it picked Oba Esuwoye. Its decision was based on the recommendations of the kingmakers in Ojomu, Eesa, Sawo, Balogun. They are the kingmakers in the town.

    “The government had no hand in picking anybody. It was the kingmakers themselves that nominated Oba Esuwoye and the Council of Chiefs from Ilorin deliberated on the issue and forwarded their recommendations to the government before the announcement was made.

    “So, we don’t have a hand in whether somebody was picked rightly or unjustly picked. We specifically relied on the gazette which was available, and that was the instrument for picking whoever became the Olofa.”