Ado-Ekiti – The Ogoga in Council has abrogated the controversial title of Olukere and asked the present occupant Oba Ganiyu Obasanyin to stop parading himself in that capacity.
The present Olukere has been under investigations for charges bordering on murder and attempted murder.
The Council, which derived it’s authority from the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adu Adejimi Alagbado, said it was left with no option since Obasanyin had allegedly remained the custodian of violence and brigandage in the community.
It also accused the Police of complicity in all acts of criminality committed by the embattled Obasanyin.
Meanwhile, Ajibola Kolade, brother to the deceased Femi Kolade, has said that his late brother was not an armed robber as being alleged by Police.
Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Ajibola, who said though his elder brother’s untimely death was a huge blow to the family, he however added that it should be placed on records that the deceased was neither an armed robber nor a political thug.
“My elder brother was a toilet attendant at the popular Fayose Market, along Ikere Road in Ado Ekiti. His alias name there was ‘Kofem’ and everyone there knows him. He was also in some laundry business. Recently, he took to poultry business. He was never an armed robber.
“He wasn’t even at the scene where the attack on the Olukere’s Hotel was carried out. He was just a gentleman who was unfortunately at the scene the reprisal attack was carried out.
“My brother, Femi, was a gentleman. He was a father of two and has a wife. What we learnt about his death was that Olukere brought his men on that Christmas day to where my brother and his friends, with whom he wore same ‘Aso ebi’, were relaxing and having drinks for the Yuletide.
“They said my deceased brother even begged on behalf of those who had offended the Olukere but he didn’t want to pardon as he allegedly ordered his boys to attack the men, leading to the killing of my brother. My brother has been my benefactor and never hurt a fly in his life, ” he said.
Announcing the proscription of the Olukere chieftaincy title, Secretary to the Ogoga in Council, Chief James Alonge, the Odofin of Ikere Ekiti, who read Ogoga’s address to newsmen at the palace on Tuesday, said Olukere was never a title in Ikere land. He recalled that the identity recognised for Obasanyin had been the Oloje, a masquerade chieftaincy title given by Ogoga to a chief whose duty is to appease one of the Ikere gods, Olosunta.
He echoed an history told by the Edemo of the town, Pa Solomon Jayeola, which revealed that Olukere was a name a one time Oloje of Ikere gave himself because he used to gather some fetish materials known in the town as ukerekere, saying Olukere which Obasoyin represents means: ‘One who gathers ukerekere for fetish purposes and not ‘owner of Ikere’ as can be interpreted in Yoruba.
Alleging that Obasanyin had committed some offences against the law and traditions of the community, Odofin, who equally alleged that the police has been pampering him until recently, read in part: “This is an individual with no evidence of official recognition or appointment or approval either traditional or from the state government.
“I am by the grace of God, the Oba, King of Ikere, duly elected by kingmakers through our processes and given the staff of office and Certificate of Appointment and accredited by Ekiti State Government. I do not understand the platform upon which preferential treatment is accorded Obasanyin, a mere priest while the police continue to undermine my authority.
We like to remind you of the alleged criminal breaches of the law by same Ganiyu Obasanyin and his cohorts.”
The post No More Olukere In Ikere, As Ogoga Abrogates Controversial Title appeared first on Independent Nigeria.
No More Olukere In Ikere, As Ogoga Abrogates Controversial Title
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