…Chief Sunday Oduntan, Four Others to Oversee Obafemi Affair
…Oba Owolabi Faces Ongoing Land Grabbing Trial
Olayinka Akinpelu
Following the suspension and court arraignment of the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, over alleged land grabbing and related offences, the Egba Traditional Council has appointed a five-member regency council to manage the affairs of Obafemi town in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The announcement, made through a memo signed by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, listed the appointed chiefs as: Chief Oluwafemi Folarin (Odofin Ijeun), Chief Afolabi Michael Fasanu (SAN) (Lisa Ijeun), Chief Michael Sokenu (Sakosi Ijeun), Chief Sunday Oduntan (Baamofin of Ijeun), and Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Adunni Adeboye (Olori Erelu Ijeun).
The council described the appointees as possessing “the wisdom, integrity, and leadership skills necessary to serve our township with distinction.”
The appointments follow recommendations from key Egba leaders including Chief Edmund Adeboye, Chief Akanbi Usman, Chief Simeon Ogunwale, and Dr Chief Fatai Badru, and were approved by the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Oba Owolabi, a coronet Oba and member of the Egba Traditional Council, was arraigned last week on charges including conspiracy to sell property without authority, unlawful use of agents, forceful land takeover, assault of a police officer, and obtaining by false pretence.
The Ogun State Ministry of Justice revealed that the suspended monarch allegedly claimed ownership of 500 acres in Obafemi Owode and collected ₦75 million from developer Dr Michael Adeyemi without remitting it to the rightful landowners. He is also accused of deploying thugs to the disputed land, leading to an assault on an individual and a police officer.
The state government stressed that despite being summoned by the State House of Assembly in July 2024 and the Egba Traditional Council, Oba Owolabi repeatedly ignored invitations, prompting his suspension on December 13, 2024, for conduct deemed unbefitting of a traditional ruler.
While Oba Owolabi has met his bail conditions, his trial is still ongoing, with the state government affirming its commitment to ensuring justice is served.
