The Egba Traditional Council, the governing body for traditional rulers in the Egba region of Ogun State, Nigeria, has taken decisive action against Oba Taofeek Owolabi, the Olu of Obafe, suspending him from his royal duties for a period of six months. This suspension stems from serious allegations of land grabbing leveled against the monarch by the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association, a local community group within Obafe. The council’s decision, communicated in an official letter dated December 13, 2024, underscores the gravity of the accusations and the traditional ruler’s perceived lack of cooperation in addressing them. The suspension represents a significant rebuke of Oba Owolabi’s conduct and carries substantial penalties, including the forfeiture of his salary and official privileges.
The root of the controversy lies in a petition submitted by the Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association to the Ogun State House of Assembly on January 29, 2024. The petition accused Oba Owolabi of illegally acquiring land belonging to the community, sparking a protracted dispute that has ultimately led to his suspension. The House of Assembly, seeking to mediate the conflict, extended multiple invitations to Oba Owolabi to appear before its members and address the allegations. Despite these repeated summonses, the monarch failed to attend the scheduled meetings on July 8th, 10th, and 17th, 2024, held at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. This refusal to cooperate with the legislative body significantly escalated the situation and contributed to the eventual decision by the Egba Traditional Council to intervene.
Adding to Oba Owolabi’s legal woes is a separate court case involving allegations of fraud and assault. In October 2024, the monarch was arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Owode-Egba on charges of defrauding an individual named Michael Adeyemi of ₦75 million, a substantial sum of money. He also faces charges of assaulting a police officer. This pending court case, which includes four counts of felony, fraudulent conversion, and assault, further complicates the monarch’s situation and casts a shadow over his leadership within the Obafe community. The combination of the land grabbing allegations and the separate criminal charges paints a picture of a ruler embroiled in controversy.
The Egba Traditional Council, after observing Oba Owolabi’s repeated failure to engage with both the State House of Assembly and its own internal Ethical Committee, felt compelled to take action. The council’s efforts to mediate the land dispute through its Ethical Committee similarly proved fruitless, with the monarch declining to participate in the offered dialogue sessions. This lack of cooperation left the council with little choice but to invoke Section 36 (1) and (2) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021, which empowers the council to suspend traditional rulers for misconduct. The council explicitly condemned Oba Owolabi’s behavior, deeming it “entirely unexpected of anyone who has any claim to being a traditional ruler,” highlighting the seriousness with which they viewed his actions.
The six-month suspension, effective immediately from December 13, 2024, carries significant implications for Oba Owolabi. He is barred from participating in any government functions, effectively removing him from the public sphere in his official capacity. Furthermore, he is prohibited from presenting himself as the Olu of Obafe during the suspension period, stripping him of the authority and recognition associated with his title. The suspension also carries a financial penalty, with Oba Owolabi forfeiting all entitlements, including his salary, for the duration of the six months. This comprehensive set of sanctions reflects the council’s commitment to holding its members accountable for their actions and upholding the integrity of traditional institutions.
The Egba Traditional Council formally notified Ganiyu Hamzat, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, of its decision to suspend Oba Owolabi. This notification ensures that the relevant government authorities are aware of the situation and can take any necessary steps to support the implementation of the suspension. The letter outlining the decision reiterated the sequence of events leading to the suspension, emphasizing Oba Owolabi’s failure to respond to the House of Assembly’s invitations and the Ethical Committee’s attempts at mediation. The council’s firm stance serves as a warning to other traditional rulers within the Egba region, underscoring the importance of cooperation with both governmental and traditional authorities and adherence to the ethical standards expected of community leaders. The case of Oba Taofeek Owolabi stands as a significant example of how traditional institutions can exercise their authority to address allegations of misconduct and maintain public trust.
