The Egba Traditional Council has suspended the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, for six months following allegations of land grabbing brought against him by a community association in Ogun State.
In a letter dated December 13, 2024, signed by the Alake of Egbaland and President of the Egba Traditional Council, Oba Adedotun A. Gbadebo, the council cited Oba Owolabi’s failure to honor invitations by both the Ogun State House of Assembly and the council’s Ethical Committee.
The suspended Oba has on 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 N75m and assaulting a police officer.
The suspended Oba is facing four counts bordering on felony, fraudulent conversion, and assault.
The controversy began on January 29, 2024, when the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association petitioned the Ogun State House of Assembly, accusing the traditional ruler of illegal land acquisition.
In response, the assembly scheduled meetings for July 8, 10, and 17 at the Oke-Mosan complex, which Oba Owolabi allegedly ignored despite multiple notifications.
The Egba Traditional Council, after its own unsuccessful attempts to mediate through its Ethical Committee, invoked Section 36 (1) and (2) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs’ Law of 2021 to justify the suspension.
The council declared that Oba Owolabi’s actions constituted behavior “entirely unexpected of anyone who has any claim to being a traditional ruler.”
The suspension, effective immediately, bars Oba Owolabi from attending government functions or presenting himself publicly as the Olu of Obafemi during the six-month period.
He will also forfeit all entitlements, including his salary.
The letter further notified the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hazmat, of the council’s decision.
“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.
“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.”
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