The Ogun State Police Command yesterday invited and interrogated the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, for assaulting a 73-year-old chief, Areola Abraham.
This is just as the state government slammed a six-month suspension on the monarch, reports The PUNCH.
Ogunjobi had sparked outrage after a viral video surfaced online showing him verbally and physically assaulting Arinola.
•The vexatious video
In the two-minute clip, Arinola was seen kneeling on the road while a man, said to be Ogunjobi, cursed him and his family while accusing him of conspiracy.
The monarch, reportedly a retired police officer, also boasted of his influence over law enforcement agencies, threatening to jail the chief.
At one point, a man accompanying the traditional ruler slapped Areola and ordered him to prostrate before the king.
Giving an update on the incident via a post on his X handle yesterday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuiywa Adejobi, disclosed that the monarch had been invited and interrogated over the matter.
The FPRO noted that the Police Force could not be controlled by any individual, stating that justice would be served in the matter.
Adejobi said, “The Oba has been invited and interrogated today by the command. The matter is being looked into for justice to prevail. Nobody can claim to be controlling the NPF. Justice must be served by all means. Thanks.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has placed the monarch on a six-month suspension for his uncivil conduct not befitting the status of an Oba.
The decision, according to a statement from the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, yesterday, was reached after Oba Ogunjobi and his victim were invited by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, for an interrogation.
“This became imperative as a result of the reckless utterances and public misconduct of the Kabiyesi as it was evident on social media and being bandied in the larger public space.
“After the investigation conducted on the matter, the Kabiyesi has been suspended and stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise on the allegation.
“The foregoing decision was reached by the ministry in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council under Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021.”
Recall that stakeholders, including the National Association of Nigeria Students, public commentators and Nigerians across different divides condemned the action of the monarch.
