The Egba Traditional Council has suspended the Olu of Obafe in the Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, for six months over allegations of land grabbing levelled against him by the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association.

The suspension was contained in a letter dated December 13, 2024, signed by the Alake of Egbaland and President of the Egba Traditional Council, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday.

The council disclosed that Oba Owolabi?s suspension followed his failure to honour invitations from both the Ogun State House of Assembly and the council?s Ethical Committee to address the allegations.

The embattled monarch?s troubles began on January 29, 2024, when the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association petitioned the Ogun State House of Assembly, accusing him of illegal land acquisition. Despite multiple notifications, Oba Owolabi reportedly failed to attend meetings scheduled for July 8, 10, and 17 at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

In October, the traditional ruler was arraigned before a Magistrate?s Court in Owode-Egba on charges of defrauding one Michael Adeyemi of ?75 million and assaulting a police officer. The case, which includes four counts of felony, fraudulent conversion, and assault, is still pending in court.

The Egba Traditional Council stated that Oba Owolabi?s refusal to cooperate with its Ethical Committee left it with no option but to invoke Section 36 (1) and (2) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021 to suspend him.

The council described the monarch?s conduct as ?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 Obafe. The monarch will also forfeit all entitlements, including his salary, for the duration of the six-month suspension.

The letter further notified the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, of the council?s resolution.

Part of the letter read, ?On January 29, 2024, the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association petitioned the Ogun State House of Assembly, accusing you of land grabbing. In a bid to amicably resolve the issues raised, the House of Assembly invited you to meetings held on July 8, 10, and 17 at Room 215, Ogun State House of Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan. You failed to appear despite several invitations sent to you.?*

The council added, ?The Ethical Committee of the Egba Traditional Council held a session of dialogue with you to no avail. In line with Section 36 (1) and (2) of the 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 council passed a resolution to suspend you for six months without pay, effective December 13, 2024.?

The letter warned that Oba Owolabi must refrain from attending government functions or parading himself publicly as the Olu of Obafe during the suspension period. (The PUNCH)

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