…Defies Government, Traditional Council Orders
…Faces Fraud, Assault and Illegal Logging Charges
By Olayinka Akinpelu
The Olu of Obafe, Oba Taofeek Owolabi Olukayode, has been remanded in prison over multiple allegations bordering on land grabbing, fraud, and violent conduct, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday by an Ogun State court.
The embattled monarch, currently under suspension, was arraigned at the judiciary complex in Kobape, Abeokuta.
He faces a string of charges including fout authority, obtaining by false pretence, assault of a police officer, and illegal sale of logs from a disputed forest.
The charges, brought by the Ministry of Justice, cite violations of both the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties Law, 2016 and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
The judge described Oba Taofeek’s conduct as “thug-like,” following claims that he personally assaulted a police officer and used armed thugs to intimidate residents and developers.
According to Mr. Oluwanbe Onitande of Agboro Village, the monarch fraudulently sold timber from a forest belonging to the Olaegbe family to one Yekini Sanraoro, claiming ownership of the land.
Investigations by the Forestry Department confirmed that the sale lacked legal approvals.
Despite repeated warnings from both the Forestry Department and the police, Oba Taofeek continued the illegal activities.
In another thread of the case, the monarch allegedly misled a developer, Dr. Michael Adeyemi, into paying ₦75 million for a 500-acre parcel of land, which he falsely claimed to control.
The funds were never remitted to the rightful landholding families.
Government sources revealed that efforts had been made to engage Oba Taofeek through official and traditional channels.
The monarch reportedly ignored a summons from the Ogun State House of Assembly in July 2024, opting instead to file two counter-suits which he later withdrew without complying with investigative processes.
The Egba Traditional Council, under the authority of the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, also summoned Oba Taofeek multiple times.
He defied those summons, leading to his suspension on 13 December 2024 for conduct deemed unbecoming of a traditional ruler.
Following his Tuesday arraignment, Oba Taofeek and his co-defendant, Ishola Shobande, were granted bail on Wednesday, each in the sum of ₦2 million.
The trial has been adjourned to 5 June 2025 for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring order to land administration in the state.
“No one is above the law. We will continue to prosecute land grabbers, regardless of status, and ensure that the rule of law prevails,” the Ministry of Justice stated.
