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Ogun State Suspends as Police Arraign Monarch Over Viral Assault of 73-year-old Man

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The Ogun State Government has suspended the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, following widespread outrage sparked by a viral video showing him assaulting a 73-year-old man, Areola Abraham. The video, which emerged on January 21, captured the monarch slapping Abraham and forcing him to kneel while his aides further humiliated the elderly man.

The victim, during a press briefing organized by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), narrated his ordeal. He said he was on his way to buy food when the monarch called him over and attacked him without provocation. “I asked what I had done, but he didn’t care to listen. He just wanted to humiliate me,” Abraham said. According to him, the monarch boasts of his influence, claiming, “I will kill you, and nothing will happen.”

In response to the public outcry, the Ogun State Government announced the monarch’s suspension on February 3. Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, disclosed that the decision was made after an investigation led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat. Both the monarch and the victim were interrogated as part of the probe.

Akinmade explained that Ogunjobi’s suspension was necessary to address the “reckless utterances and public misconduct” that violated public expectations of a traditional ruler. The Egba Traditional Council also stripped Ogunjobi of his paraphernalia of office for six months, pending further investigations. The government’s decision aligns with Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021.

On February 4, Ogunjobi was arraigned in court on charges of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed that the monarch was granted bail, and the case was adjourned to March 6. Adejobi assured the public that the police remain committed to upholding justice and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the CDHR has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding Ogunjobi’s arrest and prosecution. The group alleged that the embattled monarch has a history of using thugs to intimidate residents while leveraging his past role as a police officer to evade accountability.

For Abraham and other residents of Orile-Ifo, the swift government intervention offers hope for justice. However, the incident has reignited discussions about power abuse and the need for traditional rulers to uphold the dignity of their positions. PIJAlance will continue to monitor developments in the case as the legal process unfolds.

Read Also: Ogun Chief Seeks Injunction Against Abeokuta/Kobape Road Construction

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