Deji’s Palace To Oloba In Council: Stop Distorting Facts, History On Olu Araromi Chieftaincy 

By Michael Adeyeye

The attention of the Palace of the Deji of Akure Kingdom has been drawn to a recent press statement circulating on social media which was credited to the Oloba In-Council and signed by Chief Alo Adefisayo David. The poorly scripted gibberish was a mere bundles of lies and a conjectures by the Oloba-In-Council which should be disregarded in its entirety.

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The recent rants by the Oloba-In-Council who is only playing a script is another futile attempt to hoodwink the public by playing the role of a victim borne out of frustrations of various court pronouncements which ruled that only the Deji of Akure has the power to install minor Chiefs in Akure North notwithstanding the bifurcation of old Akure Local Government. We are therefore not surprised by this recent outburst which stands logic on its head.

For the avoidance of doubts, it is on record that the State Government had settled the issue of prescribed Authority through the issuance of circular No. CD/C.6/9/20/96 dated the 19th of August, 1999 which was addressed to the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Joseph Oluwadare Agunbiade, the letter stated inter alia thus: “3. “In view of the above, I am directed to inform you that the bifurcation of Akure to two local government notwithstanding, the Deji of Akure land still retain consenting authority based on traditional and historical background which is not negotiable……… I am to add that the issue should be regarded as being resolved. Hence, government will frown at any person or group of people that want to foment trouble….”.

The above is a pointer to the fact that the issue of the prescribed authority had been long resolved by the state Government. The above circular is still in force and the Oloba-In-Council cannot feign ignorance except they chose to be mischievous.

Interestingly, the Judgment of His Lordship Justice W.A Akintoroye had equally decided and settled this issue when it dismissed the suit challenging the Authority of the Deji (SUIT NO: AK/28/2017) over the appointment of Minor Chiefs in Akure North Local Government in the judgment dated 28th March, 2018.

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The court in its judgment held that:

a. From time immemorial, the entire Akure Land has been under the hegemony of the Deji of Akure. By virtue of his said position, the Deji was the paramount ruler over the entire Akure land as well as being the consenting authority over all minor chiefs, Olus and Baales under him.

b. That prior to the bifurcation of Akure Local Government, the Deji of Akure by virtue of his position is the prescribed authority, was empowered traditionally and in law to appoint and consent the appointment of minor chiefs within the land not minding the bifurcation of the old Local Government into Akure North and South.

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The above judgment was also the position of Her Lordship, Justice Osadebay – Akintan in another landmark judgment affirming the Deji as the consenting authority.

We are therefore not too surprised by the needless media war and propaganda by the Oloba-In-Council as one of their antics to deliberately confuse unsuspecting public in believing their tissues of lies which is laced with mere conjectures and absolute falsehood. 

However, it is distasteful that the Oloba-In-Council could public display high level of ignorance of the law by showcasing a case that was dismissed due to the withdrawal of the plaintiff as a judgment to override the existing judgments that affirmed the authority of the Deji as the prescribed authority. The action of the Oloba-In-Council amounts to committing political hara-kiri

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We would not like to dwell on all the outdated quotes of Morgan Review Commission Report and the Chief Edicts of 1984 as amended which were cited by the Oloba-In-Council. Rather, we urge them to familiarize themselves with the Chieftaincy Laws of Ondo State as well as the Judgments of the court which had made clear pronouncement on the recognition of the Deji as the Paramount Ruler over the entire Akure Land. On the other hand, it is laughable that the Oloba-In-Council will refer to Oba-Ile as being in existence before Akure Kingdom. This is a mere joke and fallacious statement which is better ignored and would only continue to exist within the figments of the imagination of the writers of such junk. 

It is pertinent to inform the public that without mincing words, the Oloba of Obaile, Oba Joseph Agunbiade himself is conscious of the fact that he will be committing a contempt of court if he dares appoint an Olu in Araromi community hence, the need for him to brand his appointee as a Quarter Chief. We urge Kabiyesi not to allow himself to fall into judicial trap of appointing any Olu under any guise.  We challenge the Oloba-In-Council to make a categorical statement that the Oloba has such power to appoint an Olu and also sign a certificate to such effect and the make it available to the public.

In another twist of event and to further shows the unpardonable ignorance of the Oloba-In-Council was the issue of contiguity of Obaile to Araromi which they claimed was the reason why the request of the Olu of Araromi for an upgrading to a recognized Chief was declined. They failed to tell the public that the Ajama Panel never denied the upgrading of Araromi Chieftaincy but rather recommended Araromi stool for recognition and the community will soon represent its case to the Government as required by law in due time. The question begging for answer is that, was Araromi annexed as a quarter in Obaile by the Ajama Panel? The Answer is NO.

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We wish to state for the umpteenth time that Chief Omotayo Jenyo Fatoyinbo remains the Olu of Araromi having scored the highest vote during the family selection and was properly presented to the Deji for installation. Let it also be on record that the issue of his temporary suspension is no longer an issue since the suspension has been lifted and he had been asked to continue as the head of the Araromi Quarters.

We urge the security agencies and Ondo State Government to beam their searchlight on the Oloba-In-Council who are the real culprits always beating the war of drum and are well known for raising false alarm of crisis. They are currently trying to unleash mayhem on the peaceful community of Araromi to prove a point. The security agencies should therefore, hold them and Mr. Kole Abiodun liable for any breach of peace in Araromi community.

We urge the youths and good people of Araromi to remain peaceful even in the eyes of unwarranted provocations by the Oloba of Oba-Ile and his council members.

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For the avoidance of doubts, the Araromi community under the leadership of Chief Omotayo Jenyo Fatoyinbo is very peaceful and those fanning the ember of discord should desist from such and join hands with him for the development of Araromi community.

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