Wednesday 13 February 2013

Ondo suspends another monarch


Oba Akinfesola Adewola
The Akamuja of Igburowo town in the Odigbo Local Government, Ondo State, Oba Akinfesola Adewola, has been suspended from the throne.
 
The suspension of the monarch was allegedly connected with the protest carried out by his people last year.
 
The people of the community had chased the embattled monarch out of his palace and banished him, his wife and their children after forcing them to trek several kilometres, bare-footed.
 
Adewola was accused of perpetrating various atrocities in the community such as fraud, and forceful acquisition of land belonging to his subjects.
 
He was also accused of frivolous litigation over subject’s property, non-performance of traditional rites and assaulting his chiefs.
 
His suspension by the Ondo State Government was contained in a letter dated February 7, 2013, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. A.O Adeola.
 
A copy of the letter made available to our correspondent stated that the suspension of the monarch was in response to a letter of protest written by the people of Igburowo to the government requesting the deposition of the traditional ruler.
 
The letter, entitled, Re: Demand for official deposition of Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewola as Akamuja of Igburowo, reads, “I am directed to refer your attention to the above subject as captioned in a letter written by Igburowo community to the Executive Governor of Ondo State and to inform you that following thoughtful consideration of the various allegations against you, the state government has resolved to set up a panel of enquiry with a view to dispassionately arbitrate on the matter.
 
“In the interim, you have been suspended with immediate effect, you are therefore requested to stay away from office and stop parading yourself henceforth as the Akamuja of Igburowo land until the report of the panel is received.
 
“This is to ensure proper administration of justice and to prevent breakdown of law and order in the community.”
 
When contacted on the telephone, the embattled monarch confirmed the receipt of the letter.
 
He added that he would challenge the circumstances that led to his removal from the throne at the court.
 
He said, “Yes, I already have a copy of the letter with me but I have made necessary arrangements with my lawyers to challenge the circumstances that led to my removal from the throne at the court.
 
“In any case, I am still the king. The alleged suspension was to enable the state government panel carry out its investigation.”
The people of the community embarked on a peaceful demonstration on August 26, 2012 during which the monarch was chased out of his palace.
 
Some of the offences levelled against the traditional ruler include alleged mismanagement of N3.6m meant for the payment of electricity consumption to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.
 
The monarch was also accused of allegedly running an autocratic administration by refusing to constitute the Oba-In –Council in the community several years after the death of some High Chiefs called Iwarefas.

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