By Oluwabukola Olaomo
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, has suspended two family chiefs, popularly referred to as Mogajis, for their involvement in land grabbing practices. The traditional beads of these chiefs were also withdrawn as part of the disciplinary action.
The disciplined Mogajis are Kamorudeen Kolawole, Mogaji of the Kukula family in Oke–Ofa Baba Isale, located within Ibadan North East Local Government Area, and Samsudeen Bello, Mogaji of the Ekerin Ajengbe family in Isale Osi, under the Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspension, which took immediate effect, was announced during a meeting of the Olubadan Land Matters Committee held at the Old Olubadan Palace in Oja Oba, Ibadan on Thursday. The suspension decision was noted in a statement released on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Solomon Olugbemiga Ayoade.
The Olubadan, through the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, added that the suspension order will be in effect until the suspended Mogajis do the needful. “Your suspension order is indefinite until you retrace your steps and do the needful” Olubadan affirmed.
“You have been told severally to desist from any act that can tarnish the reputation and image of the Olubadan and Ibadanland, such as land grabbing, trespassing, forceful land taking, oppression of your family members and other residents in your domain,” the monarch added.
Until further notice, the suspended Mogajis have been ordered to cease identifying themselves as titleholders under the Olubadan chieftaincy system. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest any of the suspended traditional ruler parading themselves as authentic Chiefs. The paramount ruler also expressed his disapproval at the attitude of some Mogajis and Baales, who ignored the invitation of the Olubadan Land Matters Committee.
He warned the absentee traditional title holders of the risk of losing their traditional titles as their absence would be viewed as insubordination to the consituted authority.
Present at the meeting were Oba Abiodun Kola Daisi, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Dauda Abiodun Azees the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Salaudeen Hamidu Ajibade the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland; Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, the Special Adviser to Olubadan on Chieftaincy Matters; the President Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, Mogaji Ariori of Olorisa family; Mogaji Adeleke Lukman, the Secretary to the Committee and Mogaji Abdul Rasaq Akinola, the Reporting Officer to the committee, among others.
