Nigerian Monarch suspended
……over Land-Grabbing Allegations
The suspension was announced in a letter dated December 13, 2024, signed by Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland and President of the Egba Traditional Council.
Oba Taofeek Owolabi, the Olu of Obafemi in Ogun State’s Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area, has been suspended for six months by the Egba Traditional Council over allegations of land grabbing.
The suspension was announced in a letter dated December 13, 2024, signed by Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland and President of the Egba Traditional Council.
The decision followed Oba Owolabi’s failure to respond to multiple invitations from both the Ogun State House of Assembly and the council’s Ethical Committee.
In August, Ogun State House of Assembly recommended the prosecution of the traditional ruler, the Olu of Obafemi over allegations of land grabbing.
The Assembly also directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the State Council of Obas to immediately suspend the monarch.
The traditional ruler was accused of perpetrating acts capable of disrupting the peace of the residents of Agboro-Olatunde village and the people of the state.
The monarch’s legal troubles began on January 29, 2024, when the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association petitioned the State Assembly, accusing him of illegal land acquisition.
Despite several invitations, Oba Owolabi did not attend meetings scheduled for July 8, 10, and 17 at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The Egba Traditional Council invoked Section 36 (1) and (2) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021 to suspend the Olu of Obafe, Oba Owolabi, due to his failure to cooperate with the Ethical Committee and pending charges of defrauding Michael Adeyemi of ₦75 million and assaulting a police officer.
The suspension is effective immediately and lasts for six months.
The letter notifying the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, further detailed the council’s resolution.
It stated, “On January 29, 2024, the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association petitioned the Ogun State House of Assembly, accusing you of land grabbing. In a bid to amicably resolve the issues raised, the House of Assembly invited you to meetings held on July 8, 10, and 17 at Room 215, Ogun State House of Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan.
“You failed to appear despite several invitations sent to you.”
The letter also noted that the “the council passed a resolution to suspend you for six months without pay, effective December 13, 2024″.
