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Tag: Olubadan of Ibadanland

  • Ajimobi condems violence at Olubadan’s palace

    Ajimobi condems violence at Olubadan’s palace

    Gov.  Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has condemned the alleged act of brigandage that occurred during a ceremony at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on Monday.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, the governor directed security agencies to ensure that the masterminds are swiftly arrested, interrogated and brought to justice.

    He vowed not to brook anyone or group of people desirous of bringing back the regime of violence and brigandage to the state.

    Ajimobi reiterated his commitment to the security and protection of lives and properties of all citizens of Oyo State, which he said that
    his administration laboured hard to restore and maintain in the last six years.

    News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN )   reports that  five yet-to-be identified gunmen invaded the Olubadan palace at Popoyemoja in Ibadan where the monarch was conducting an installation ceremony of newly appointed traditional rulers.

    The gunmen, who arrived the scene in a space bus, fired gunshots but  no casualty was recorded in the incident.

    One of the gunmen was said to have released volleys of gunshots into the air via the open roof of the vehicle, while others reportedly shot through windows of the vehicle.

    An eyewitness said the gunmen wore black clothes and tied red clothes around their heads displaying pump action rifles and
    A-K47 rifles.

    Men of the state joint security task force `Operations  Burst’ arrived the palace within five minutes of the incidence to restore normalcy.

    NAN reports that the incident had occurred at a time when the monarch was about to commence the installation of four new Baales (village heads) in his palace.

     

  • Oyo Lawmaker declares free weekly medical service in constituency

    Oyo Lawmaker declares free weekly medical service in constituency

    A member of the House of Representatives representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency of Oyo state, Hon. Olatoye Sugar as set aside every Wednesday as a day for free medical services for old people and pregnant women across his constituency.

    The free medical services include ultrasound scanning for pregnant women, eye treatment with glasses and drugs, malaria treatment for children and adults as well as blood sugar level, HIV, Urine and stool test aimed at reducing the astronomical medical fees for rural dwellers in the constituency.

    In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Sola Omotayo and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, the lawmaker appealed to wealthy Nigerians to also support less privileged members of the society.

    The lawmaker urged citizens to remain patriotic and committed to the Nigerian project even in the face of economic hardship, assuring that better days lie ahead of all of them.

    Hon. Sugar commended the spirit of togetherness, oneness and peaceful coexistence exhibited during the just concluded sallah festivity, saying that, it is only in an atmosphere of peace devoid of political, ethnic and religious acrimony that Nigeria could achieve the desired greatness.

    In his words, he said: “People should exhibit a high level of care and concern to fellow human being during the Sallah celebration and beyond as only the living can partake in the joy of the season now and afterwards”.

    While urging members of the public to celebrate in moderation and be security conscious to avoid any form of disaster as criminals take advantage of this kind of season to perpetrate evil, he charges all security agencies to be at their best in ensuring a hitch free Celebration.

    Hon Sugar however congratulated the President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of House of Reps, Yakubu Dogara, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Aseyin of Iseyin and all Muslim faithfuls across Nigeria on this year’s Eid – el-Kabir celebration.

  • Ibadan to have 32 obas as Olubadan remains paramount ruler

    Ibadan to have 32 obas as Olubadan remains paramount ruler

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Friday vowed to implement every recommendation put forward by the judicial Commission of Inquiry on the review of the existing 1957 (1959) Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland and Other Related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland, promising to begin the implementation next month.

    Receiving the formal report of the commission at the executive chamber of the governor’s office, Ajimobi noted that implementation of recommendations had always been a big challenge for all governors who had set up similar commissions to look into the review of the chieftaincy law in the state.

    Meanwhile the commission recommended 11 high Chiefs and 21 baales to wear beaded crowns in the state while also reducing the long steps required for individuals ascending the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland among others.

    The commission, set up on May 5, 2017 with seven members and an initial four weeks to submit its report later requested for additional time while additional four members were added, making a total of 11.

    According to the governor, implementing the recommendations will not only justify the efforts, commitments and resources committed into the course but would also give answer to the yarnings of the numerous stakeholders and prominent indigenes who were calling for the review.

    Ajimobi who traced the genesis of effort to review the law to the time of General David Jemibewon up to his immediate predecessor in office, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala said, just like himself, his predecessors were requested by concerned stakeholders including prominent individuals, socio cultural based groups and others, to look into the chieftaincy laws, which compelled his administration to take the bold step to look into the matter.

    He described as “fortunate and unfortunate” the situation in which virtually all his predecessors could not implement any of the recommendations of the panel they set up assuring that his administration will be remembered for implementing the review

    While assuring that the intention was never to demean the office or status of the Olubadan in anyway, Ajimobi reiterated that it is to upgrade the office and make it in tandem with modern realities as practiced in all other states of the region.

    He said: “We set up this panel out of the request of many members of the Olubadan-in-Council, the CCII and many other stakeholders just the same way they requested many other governors before us.

    “Since the time of Jemibewon, all the governors that were in office set up commission of enquiry to look into the matter but unfortunately and fortunately they were unable to implement the recommendations of the commission.

    “Even Governors Alao-Akala and Ladoja regime also set up the enquiry to review the same law but what we are doing is not new but what is new about it is that we will be placed on record as the government that will implement this review.

    “The review is necessary to review the status of Olubadan but not to deminish him. It is to upgrade and make it in line with what obtains in Lagos, Osun, Ogun and other states. Particularly to make it in line with current trend. By reviewing this law we are democratising traditional rulership in our state”

    The governor who commended the members of the commission, members of the Centre Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) the Olubadan-in-Council and the Olubadan of Ibadanland for their overwhelming support for the review noted that the support gave him the necessary philip and conviction that he is on the right path on the matter.

    He stressed that the revelation that over 120 memoranda were collected on the matter shows the enormity of individuals who are interested and are in support of the review adding that the number remains the highest ever received on any issue and subject whose the views of the people were sort.

    While presenting the report, Chairman of the commission, Justice Akintunde Boade disclosed a total of 120 memoranda were received, three struck out on the basis of not relevant to the terms of reference while nine of the people who submitted memoranda refused , failed or neglected to give oral evidence in support of their memoranda.

    He added that after a careful assessment of all the memoranda submitted, 106 of the 120 memoranda were given due consideration.

    Noting that the report was prepared in three volumes for convenience, the Chairman said, the main report, containing the findings and recommendations of the commission is in volume I, the memoranda received by the commission compiled in volume II while volume III of the report contains the day to day proceedings of the commission.

    Giving a hint into the key recommendations of the commission, the Chairman said the steps to ascendancy to the throne has been reduced from 22 to 11 and 23 to 12 on the Otun Olubadan line and Otun Balogun line respectively.

    He added that if the government will approve the recommendations, atleast 32 beaded crowns monarch will emerge while the Olubadan remains the paramount ruler and overall head of Ibadanland.

    The retired justice also said the age limit for a mogaji, the least on the wrung of the ladder has has been reviewed to between 25-35 and thereby placing an embargo on the appointment of new chiefs.

    However, the commission emphasised and restate the “unassailable fact that the Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland remains the only paramount ruler in Ibadanland”

    He said: “With reference to thr third term of reference on the wearing of beaded crown, the Commission received a total of 91 memoranda. Two of the memoranda were struck out for being irrelevant to the term of reference while five of the memoranda were not supported by oral evidence. The commission considered 84 memoranda on their merit.

    “In considering the various applications for the wearing of beaded crowns, the commission gave preference to the eleven high chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council and the carefully identified nine ancient Baales which are found eligible and five baales who are members of the Oyo state council of Obas and chiefs.

    “We also considered four other baales on the basis of their historical antecedents”

  • One dead, others injured in Ibadan ‘Egungun’ festival violence

    One dead, others injured in Ibadan ‘Egungun’ festival violence

    The Oyo State Police Command on Monday  confirmed the death of one person in the violence  that trailed  the public outing of the Ege masquerade in Ibadan on Sunday.

    The police spokesman in the state, ASP Adekunle Ajisebutu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday that  two suspects were also  arrested  in  connection with the incident.

    NAN reports  that  violence had marred the Egungun festival  on Sunday as many residents were assaulted while properties were destroyed.

    The festival, which often featured  displays by  masquerades, is meant to showcase the rich culture and tradition of  Ibadanland.

    Ajisebutu, however, said that the command had  beefed up security in the area where the Egungun festival was taking place.

    He said the state Commissioner of  Police, Abiodun Odude, had  warned all  masquerades and their followers to refrain from  violence.

    The police, he said,  would not hesitate to deal with any individual  or group attempting to cause  a breach of  the peace..

    Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji,  has expressed displeasure with Sunday’s violence.

    He said several meetings were held with stakeholders on the need to keep the peace before the festival commenced.

    Adetunji,  who commiserated  with victims  of the violence and their families,  pledged  that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

  • Masquerade mayhem: Olubadan vows to expose perpetrators

    Masquerade mayhem: Olubadan vows to expose perpetrators

    The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 Monday vowed to ensure that the perpetrators of Sunday’s bloody mayhem during the Egungun (masquerade) festival in the city face the full wrath of the law.

    The royal father who described the bloody violence as very unfortunate expressed utter displeasure over the mayhem which attended the outing of Ege masquerade in Ibadan.

    He promised to expose the perpetrators and ensure justice is melted out to culprits.

    An unconfirmed sourced said about eight people were killed , while several others sustained varying degree of injuries .

    Also, properties worth unestimated amount of money were destroyed when street urchins hijacked the celebration of Ibadan customs and tradition and turned it into mayhem.

    In a statement issued and signed by the Director, Media and Public Affairs to the monarch, Mr Adeola Oloko said the traditional ruler was shocked with the development despite several meetings and warning with the stakeholders before the egungun festival, some people still went around disobeying the law by inflicting violence on innocent citizens.

    Oba Adetunji who sympathised with the incident victims and their families promised that the perpetrators would not escape the full weight of the law.

    Commenting on why he refused Ege masquerade from entering into the palace, Oba Adetunji stated that the palace officials were not informed that he was coming at the said date and time.

    He also said the masquerade does not belong to the category of masquerades that visit the palace of Olubadan and high chief’s homes.

    He however said while the palace of Olubadan is open to all and sundry, including egungun, the rule is that the Olubadan and his chiefs must be informed in advance for adequate preparations to be put in place to receive them.

    Meanwhile, Oloolu masquerade that is slated to visit the Olubadan today had been advised to keep away for fear of reprisal attack.

    It would be recalled that Ege masquerade that is expected to come out once in three years is known for his large, uncontrollable crowd and attendant violence.

    ” We were adequately informed that his supporters were believed to have unleashed violence even before reaching the palace at Idi Arere, so it is not true that the violence occurred because he was not allowed entry into the palace as being speculated in some quarters” , he said.

     

  • Battle over Olubadan stool: Court orders service on Olubadan

    Battle over Olubadan stool: Court orders service on Olubadan

    An Oyo state High Court Wednesday, ordered that the renewed writ of summons and other documents in the suit filed by the Seriki Chiefs, be served on counsel to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

    The battle over the stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland continued Wednesday with major parties to the case present in court against previous sitting when counsel to the Olubadan were not represented in the court.

    The Seriki Chiefs that include Adebayo Oyediji, Olalekan Fakunle, Rashidi Abinupagun and Gabriel Kofoworola, had in the suit dragged Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Oba Adetunji, to court, over the installation of the monarch, following the death of Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1.

    At the last hearing of the case, the judge had drawn the attention of counsel to the Seriki Chiefs, Mr. Abideen Adediran, to the error in serving the writ of summons which was filed in May, 2016 on the Secretary to the Olubadan-In-Council, without the order of the court.

    Adediran had urged the court to fix a date for the hearing of the case, stating that since the suit was filed, Oba Adetunji has failed to appear in court or be represented by any counsel.

    During the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Adediran was to move a motion to serve Oba Adetunji through substituted service by pasting the writ of summons on the wall of the Olubadan Traditional Council in Ibadan South East local government Secretariat, Mapo, Ibadan.

    However before he was to move the motion, a counsel, Mr. Adewale Ajewole, announced his appearance for Oba Adetunji, stating that he was briefed on the case on Tuesday.

    Adediran then drawn the attention of the court on the need to serve Oba Adetunji, who is the third defendant in the case, new writ of summons, noting that the law states that a motion can only be subsistence for six months.

    The judge however ordered that the writ of summons be served in court on the counsel to the Olubadan, maintaining that with his appearance in court, he is fully in the case and that there is no need for substituted service.

    Justice Abass who then adjourned the case to April 10, berated the attitude of counsel representing government and its officials, for coming to court when they like.

    The judge who was apparently reacting to the non-appearance in court of counsel to Ajimobi and the state Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Salau Adegboyega, warned that he will not hesitate to report such attitude of state counsel to the appropriate quarters.

  • Battle over Olubadan stool: Court orders hearing service on Olubadan

    Battle over Olubadan stool: Court orders hearing service on Olubadan

    An Ibadan High Court presided over by Justice Oladiran Akintola, Monday ordered that  hearing notice of the suit filed by the Seriki Chiefs be served on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and other members of the Olubadan-In-Council.

    The Seriki Chiefs led by High Chief Bayo Oyediji, had dragged Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and members of the Olubadan-In-Council to court, over the installation of Oba Adetunji, following the death of Oba Samuel Odulana.

    He had seek the order of the court that it is the turn of the Seriki line to produce the next Olubadan after the death of Oba Odulana

    At the resumed hearing of the case, counsel to the Seriki Chiefs, Mr. Sarafadeen Sanni, had drawn attention of the court to the fact that the defendants most especially members of the Olubadan-In-Council, had been employing delay tactics to prolong the case to the detriment of his clients.

    According to him, the last time that members of the Olubadan-In-Council last appeared or represented in the case was February 10, 2016, urging the court to do everything within the law to come to the rescue of his clients by fixing a date for the case to commence in earnest.

    Justice Akintola however drew his attention to the letter written to the court by the counsel representing the state, Mr. Salau Adegboyega, requesting for the adjournment of the case to either March 27 or 31 due to other official engagements.

    Sanni in his response said while he would not oppose that the case be adjourned, the dates suggested by the state counsel were too long as the two days were over a month.

    The presiding judge however enjoined him to pick within the dates suggested by the state counsel, stating that it would amount to futility to fix a hearing date for the case and at the end of the day; the state counsel would come again with a letter for adjournment when he was not part of the date picked.

    Justice Akintola then adjourned the case to March 27 after Sanni has agreed with the date, ordering that a hearing order which may be the final be served on all the defendants in the case.

  • We’ll submit to rule of law – Igbos tells Olubadan

    Igbo community in Ibadan under the umbrella of Igbo Community Development Association (ICDA) on Thursday said they will summit to rule of law in response to the order given by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on the leadership of Igbo community in Ibadanland.
    The Olubadan had last Friday endorsed Chief Alloy Obi as the leader of Igbo community in Ibadan and threatened to order for the arrest of anyone who parades himself as Igbo leader except Chief Obi that received the monarch’s blessings.
    But in a reaction to the Olubadan’s threat , the ICDA said they rather obey the rule of law than the Olubadan.
    Both Chief Emmanuel Ndidi Nzeako, the President ICDA and Chief Alex Anozie, igbo community leader in Ibadanland  in a separate fora said the Igbo leader crisis in Ibadan has been resolved by an Ibadan High Court judgement which granted the prayers of Chief Anozie as the only recognised igbo community leader in Ibadan and Oyo state.
    According to a statement by Chief Anozie , the Oyo state High Court judgement on February 18, 2014 was quite explicit on the matter as it proclaimed him the only igbo leader in Ibadan and Oyo state.
    “I am also aware that ,that particular judgement has not been vacated by any superior court even though there has not been a stay of execution against the judgement . The matter is still left in the Appeal Court,” Chief Anozie said.
    Speaking on the controversial endorsement of Chief Alloy Obi by the Olubadan, Chief Anozie explained that “I was only invited once by the Olubadan In Council where I met Alloy Obi and the Baale of Ekotedo. I was surprised to see someone like Alloy Obi whom the court ordered to stop parading himself as igbo leader in Ibadanland. The only message passed on to us was that they do not want the use of the Eze title in Ibadanland as the South East Traditional rulers wrote to stop the use of the title outside igboland.”
    Also, the President of ICDA,  Chief Nzeako maintained that as a citizen they would remain law-abiding and were determined to follow the course of the law.
    He said: “As a people of this country, we believe nobody, no matter how highly placed in the society is above the constitution of Nigeria and on the constitution we stand”.