Centenarian says Ogun monarch is not rightful occupant of throne

The centenarian is the head of the Idobarun ruling house.

A 106-year-old man, Nofiu Odejide, on Wednesday stunned the Ogun State Judicial Commission investigating the crisis in Ado-Odo Town, when he told the panel that the controversial traditional ruler, Lateef Akanni, was not a real prince before emerging as the head of the town.

The centenarian stated this while testifying and being crossed examined at the High Court, Abeokuta, the venue of the commission’s sitting. He claimed Mr. Akanni, Olofin of Ado-Odo, was not a member of the ruling house due for the throne as at the time of his appointment.

Mr. Odejide, who doubles as the Baale Idobarun of Idobarun compound, Iga-Afuwape, Ado-Odo, also told the commission that Mr. Akanni is not from the Idobarun royal family adding that the family, which he heads, had made the statement to the immediate past commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in the state.

He said the commissioner pleaded on the monarch’s behalf that the family finds a way of integrating him into the Idobarun ruling house, which they rejected. He also said the family was dissatisfied with the Supreme Court judgment on the tussle for the post of Olofin of Ado-Odo between Mr. Akanni and Muniru Odejide, his co-contestant.

The centenarian said the crisis in the town started with the forceful crowning of the monarch who he claimed was forcefully demanding obeisance from all the residents of the town.

“Those who do not tremble at his presence were either killed, maimed, got their property confiscated or vandalized, Ado-Odo knows no peace, no development or almost every household is mourning a lost one or imprisoned person on various trumped up charge.

“The Oba is not loved by the people of the town and he is not popular. The truth is that he is not wanted because he is unfit and improper to occupy the stool,” he said.

“His ascension to the throne is shrouded in conspiracy and fraud. He has desecrated the stool of Ado-Odo and did things that were in total conflict and deviation from traditionally acceptable standard and norm,” the centenarian added.

In his submission, a former chairman of Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area, Lamidi Olatunji, confirmed that the Idobarun ruling house had consistently disowned the monarch as not being a member of their family; adding that it was imperative that Mr. Akanni meets with the ruling house to sort out his problems with them.

The commission is investigating the attack and molestation of the monarch and the destruction of his property by residents of the town.


-- Premium Times