Six-Month Suspension for Ogun Monarch in Viral Incident
The Ogun State Government has suspended Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, for six months following a viral video showing him assaulting a 73-year-old man, Chief Abraham Areola. The suspension was announced after both the monarch and his victim were interrogated by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat. The government deemed the monarch’s actions as reckless and unbecoming of his status, leading to his suspension and the stripping of his official privileges pending further investigation.
The decision was made in collaboration with the Egba Traditional Council, in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021.
In addition to the suspension, the Ogun State Police Command has initiated an investigation into the incident. Oba Ogunjobi, a retired police officer, was seen in the video verbally abusing and threatening Chief Areola, who was kneeling before him. The monarch’s actions have been widely condemned, leading to calls for accountability from various human rights groups.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Oba Ogunjobi for the assault. They emphasized that no one is above the law and called for a thorough investigation into the monarch’s actions.
