Ogun Govt Suspends Monarch Over Assault on Elderly Man

Ogun State suspends Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi for assaulting a 73-year-old man.
The monarch was caught on video cursing and threatening the elderly victim.
His suspension follows public outrage and an investigation by the state government.

The Ogun State Government has suspended the traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, popularly known as Olorile of Orile Ifo, for six months following his involvement in the assault of a 73-year-old man. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows the monarch leading the attack on the elderly man, who was seen kneeling and pleading for mercy.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in the video, Oba Ogunjobi is heard hurling curses at the victim while individuals believed to be his thugs intermittently slapped the elderly man. The traditional ruler also threatened to kill or imprison the man, who repeatedly pleaded that he was unwell. Oba Ogunjobi boasted of his influence over the police during the altercation.

Reports indicate that the assault stemmed from the monarch’s anger over the elderly man’s alleged lack of support for his Obaship tussle. The incident sparked widespread outrage, prompting the Ogun State Government to take action.

The suspension was announced after Oba Ogunjobi and the victim were invited for interrogation by the Ogun State Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abeokuta on Monday. The Ministry stated that the suspension was necessary due to the monarch’s “reckless utterances and public misconduct,” which were widely circulated on social media and public platforms.

In a statement, the Ministry said, “After the investigation conducted on the matter, the Kabiyesi has been suspended and stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise on the allegation. This decision was reached by the Ministry in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021.”

The Ogun State Police Command also confirmed that it had invited the traditional ruler for questioning over the viral video. Oba Ogunjobi, a retired police officer, is accused of using his position to intimidate and harass community members. The victim, identified as Chief Oloye Areola Abraham, has been a prominent figure in the community.

Human rights groups have alleged that the monarch has a history of harassing residents with the help of his thugs, leveraging his status as a retired police officer. The suspension has been welcomed by many as a step toward accountability and justice.

The case has drawn significant attention, with calls for a thorough investigation and appropriate sanctions to deter such abuses of power in the future. The Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the welfare of all citizens.