Community leaders of Odo Nla, Ikorodu, Lagos State have disclosed the reasons why they unanimously voted to suspend indefinitely, Otunba Olanrewaju Afuwape.
Among the litany of alleged offences, Afuwape was said to have surreptitiously attempted to become king of the kingdom through the backdoor as against the kingship tradition, among other alleged anti-custom and traditions allegations.
Afuwape was suspended indefinitely by community after a panel, made up of the Olori Ebis (elders), Olootus of all three ruling families, and the Olootu Omo Oba Meta of the Odeyemi Ofinran Royal Family, Otunba David Afolabi Ekiyoyo.
The action came after a query letter sent to Afuwape on 13th October, which, according to the panel, was not responded to satisfactorily. On 1st November 2023, the unilateral suspension action that received the nod of the elders and youth of the community took place. The letter, signed by Olotu Omoba Meta (head of all three ruling houses), Ekiyoyo, stated that after a careful perusal of his response to the query letter on 13th October, “you(Otunba Afuwape) has been found guilty in various acts of misdemeanor and insubordination”.
The panel stated categorically that” you have been suspended indefinitely as the Otunba of Odo Nla”. The panel warned the embattled community leader: ” You are hereby strongly warned against presenting, addressing and or parading yourself as Otunba of Odo-Nla, Ikorodu, Lagos. We are sure you know the consequences of this(parading himself as Otunba of Odo-Nla)”, the letter submitted.
Trouble began for Afuwape when he and the Oba of Ikorodu, HRM Kabiru Adewale Shotobi were accused of instigating a fresh plot to truncate the wishes of the people of Odo Nla kingdom, Lagos as regards the resuscitation of its ancient Obaship tradition. The Oba has since denied the allegations in different reports, including the accusation of meddling in the traditional affairs of independent communities in that region as a result of his appointment as Chairman of Ikorodu Divisional Chieftaincy. For instance, the legal firm, Olatunji Osikoya and Co., which represents the monarch in legal matters, was said to be same lawyers he assigned to Afuwape to be writing to the head of Omo’ba Meta Royal family, Asiwaju Otunba Ekiyoyo and other Olotus on behalf of Afuwape in the query on reported misdemeanors letter issued to him.
The matter had since taken a different turn as the High Court of Lagos, Ikorodu Division may, in the next couple of days, order the arrest and commission of Oba Shotobi to a correctional facility for alleged contempt of court.
This threat to send the royal father to prison was contained in Form 48, order 1X, rule 13 titled ‘Notice of Disobedience to Order of Court’, which stated thus: “To HRH Oba Kabiru Shotobi of Ayangburen’s palace, Ikorodu, Lagos. TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be committed to prison”. The order was signed by Hon. Justice Adeniyi Pokanu.
The issue began last April when Justice Pokanu granted the prayers of Odeyemi Ofinran royal family in suit IKD/4685MJR/2023, filed by the family’s attorney, Lukman Ogunsetan of PP Ogunsetan and Co, which sought, an order granting leave to the applicants for an “Order of Mandamus to compel the Respondents to perform their legal or statutory duties of taking further or necessary steps towards the conduct of an inquiry into the Applicants’ proposal for the resuscitation of the Obaship Stool of Odo-Nla Town in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State as the Respondents are mandated to do by Sections 24 and 25 (1) & (2) of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State Ch.02 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015″.
For allegedly refusing to perform their legal and statutory duties, the royal family of Odeyemi Ofinran of Odo Nla town, Ikorodu, Lagos took Oba Shotobi; Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs; and Ikorodu Divisional Chieftaincy Committee to the High Court of Lagos State, Ikorodu Judicial division.
Other reliefs sought by Ekiyoyo and Prince Tola Ogunsami on behalf of the Odeyemi Ofinran royal family included: “An order granting leave to the Applicants to apply for an order of Mandamus to compel the Respondents to perform their legal or statutory duties of taking further or necessary steps towards the conduct of an inquiry into the Applicants’ proposal for the resuscitation of the Obaship Stool of Odo-Nla Town in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State as the Respondents are mandated to do by Sections 24 and 25 (1) & (2) of the Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State Law Ch.02 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015” among others”.
Prince Olusoga Olowolekomoh emerged the Oba elect of Odo-Nla kingdom among other five contestants to the ancient throne, from the Ogbodo and Raselu ruling houses respectively who contested for the royal crown.
It was a painstaking and thorough exercise that produced Olowolekomoh. In a statement, Ekiyoyo said: “Sequel to the formal announcement from the office of The Olotu Omo’ba Meta Royal family, Odo-Nla via a press conference at the community Town Hall on Thursday, 4th January 2022 it has become imperative for the office once again to issue another official statement in the public’s interest to dispel the ubiquitous rumors, lies and petty propaganda emanating from the quarters of disgruntled individuals and interlopers and none Omo’ba Meta Royal family members, coming up with so many different manipulated unrealistic stories that shall all be dealt with accordingly in the tribunal soonest.
“That, Prince Olusoga Elias Adeyemi Olowolekomoh is the most suitable and perfect Oba-Elect according to the best Odu Ifa prognosis and divination interpretations of the oracle consults as acknowledged by non Omo’ba Meta Royal family members Odo-Nla, different twisted and fictious stories that shall all be discredited accordingly at the tribunal soonest. It is also without doubt that he possesses sterling quality leadership skills sets of sound moral character and mind complimented by high level educational background in conjunction with his verified amiable charitable disposition and relations with different segments of the Odo-Nla Community at large. With the above findings and recommendations, it is credible beyond any doubt whatsoever that Prince Olusoga Elias Adeyemi Olowolekomoh in all finality emerged as the consensus Oba-Elect in a unanimous decision and agreement between the entire Omo’ba Meta ruling houses of Ogbodo, Raselu and Upenyenwa respectively prior to the official announcement and formal presentation to the Odeyemi Ofinran Royal Family at large including general members of the public in Odo-Nla”.
It then came as a rude shock that as preparations were in top gear for the coronation of Olowolekomoh, plans were uncovered that Afuwape’s name had been forwarded by the Chairman of Ikorodu Divisional Chieftaincy Committee, who incidentally is the Oba of Ikorodu, to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs for him to be upgraded from his Otunba to Oba status against the wishes of Odo Nla people.
In a 3rd April 2023 reply to the prayer for Afuwape to be made Oba, signed by L.A. Folami on behalf of the Permanent Secretary in Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the state government made it clear that for anybody to be upgraded to an Oba status, “in accordance with the Chieftaincy Law, the report of the Tribunal is compulsory for upgrading to Obaship”.
Sources said that Afuwape, an ally of Oba Shotobi, has been making entreaties to the Olootu Omooba Meta and other community leaders to find a way to resolve the issue amicably.
