THE SUSPENDED traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, has been charged before the Ifo Magistrate Court following allegations of assault against a 73-year-old chief, Elder Abraham Areola.
The embattled monarch, a former police officer, was arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force on a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. This follows the circulation of a viral video in which he was allegedly seen verbally and physically attacking Elder Areola, an incident that sparked public outrage and led to his suspension by the Ogun State Government.
The Explainer gathered that the widely shared two-minute clip showed Elder Areola kneeling on a dirt road while being verbally abused and threatened. The monarch, said to be Ogunjobi, was heard cursing the elderly man and his family, accusing him of betrayal and conspiracy. At one point, he allegedly threatened to imprison the chief and claimed influence over law enforcement agencies.
The video quickly gained traction on social media, drawing criticism from human rights groups, traditional institutions, and concerned citizens. In response, the Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the Egba Traditional Council, took swift action by suspending the monarch for six months.
According to the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiu Hamzat, the decision to suspend Ogunjobi was made to safeguard the dignity of individuals and the sanctity of the revered traditional institution.
“The government will not condone acts of indignity against any resident, regardless of their status,” Hamzat stated. “After a thorough investigation and a formal invitation of both parties to the ministry, Oba Ogunjobi has been suspended. He has been stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile of Orile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability.”
The Explainer noted that the decision aligns with Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs’ Law of 2021, which grants the government the authority to suspend any traditional ruler whose conduct is deemed unbefitting.
During his arraignment, Oba Ogunjobi pleaded not guilty to all charges. The magistrate granted him bail on liberal terms, setting the amount at ₦5 million with two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned to 6 March for further hearing.
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The Explainer gathered that the police investigation was led by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, who ordered a thorough probe into the allegations. “The command will ensure that justice is served while respecting the principles of fundamental human rights,” police spokesperson CSP Omolola Odutola said in a statement
The Explainer also learned that human rights organisations have expressed concerns over the incident, describing it as a test of Nigeria’s legal system in holding powerful individuals accountable. The Committee for Human Rights claimed that the monarch initially denied being the person in the video but later admitted to the act when confronted with evidence at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
