The controversial traditional ruler of Obafemi in Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State, Oba Taofeek Owolabi has been suspended for six months as a result of his alleged landgrabbing running into millions of naira in his community.
Penpushing reports that Egba Traditional Council announced his suspension in a letter dated December 13, 2024 which was signed by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, stressing that Owolabi’s actions constituted behavior entirely unexpected of anyone who has any claim to being a traditional ruler.
The embattled monarch it is recalled was in October arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in the Owode-Egba area of the state for allegedly defrauding one Michael Adeyemi to the tune of N75million and assaulting a police officer.
Penpushing further reports that the royal father who is currently facing four counts bordering on felony, fraudulent conversion, and assault, ran into trouble water on January 29, 2024, when the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association petitioned the Ogun State House of Assembly, accusing him of illegal land acquisition.
The Ogun State House of Assembly, following the petition invited Owolabi for meeting scheduled for July 8, 10, and 17, 2024, but ignored the invitation, and was thereafter arrested by the police and arraigned in court
Penpushing also reports that, however, the Egba Traditional Council having viewed his conduct considered as denting image of the council issued a letter ordering him to henceforth, stop parading himself as a traditional ruler
The President of the Egba Traditional Council, in the letter of suspension cited Owolabi’s failure to honor invitations by both the Ogun State House of Assembly and the Council’s Ethical Committee to mediate on the issues.
Penpushing reports that the council invoking invoked Section 36 (1) and (2) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs’ Law of 2021 declared that the suspension was with immediate effect, emphasizing that in the same vein, Owolabi should stop attending government functions
The letter, a copy already sent to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hazmat, equally declared that the alleged landgrabber traditional ruler would forfeit all entitlements, including his salary.
“In a bid to amicably resolve the issue raised by the petitioners, Ogun State House of Assembly invited you to meetings held on Monday 8th, Wednesday 10th and Wednesday 17th of July 2024 at room 215 Ogun State House of Assembly Complex Oke-Mosan. You failed to appear despite several invitations sent to you. The Ethical Committee of the Egba Traditional Council had a session of dialogue with you to no avail’, the letter recalled.
‘In line with section 36 (1) and (2) of Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021 and for conduct entirely unexpected of anyone who has any claim to being a traditional ruler, the Egba Traditional Council at its meeting on Friday 13th December 2024 passed a resolution to suspend you for six months without pay with effect from today. You are barred from attending government functions or parading yourself in public as the Olu of Obafemi during the suspension period’, the council stated
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