The Imo Traditional Council in Ogun State has suspended the Head/Baale of Olojede village, Chief Olakunle Joseph, over alleged abuse of chieftaincy title.
The community is in Orile Imo, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state
The suspension with immediate effect was issued by the Council Secretary, Chief Emmanuel Olude, who is also the Seriki of Imo Township, in consent with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbedebo III, stressing that Joseph should henceforth desist from parading himself as Baale of Olojede.
The letter read: “On the directive of His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, CFR, the Okukenu IV, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, please be informed that you have been placed on indefinite suspension with immediate effect.
“The foregoing action is necessary as a result of your unbecoming and traditionally unacceptable steps taken in settling certain grievances which include but not limited to taking a legal action against the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland and general abuse of your chieftaincy title.
“In view of this, you are hereby expected to desist from parading yourself as Baale of Olojede Village or as any other chieftaincy title holder in any of the suburbs of Imo Township until further notice”.
The Alake of Egbaland had earlier written the Imo Traditional Council to place the community head on suspension, adding that it is on record that he (Joseph) has taken a legal action against the monarch, who is also the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland.
In the letter addressed to the Odofin of Imo, Chief Babatunde Adesina, the Alake emphasised that the suspended chief has been found wanting in action, which is unbecoming and unacceptable to traditional procedures
“You are no doubt aware of the unbecoming and traditionally unacceptable steps being taken by the above-named in settling certain grievances. It is on record that Chief Olakunle Olalekan Joseph, Baale Olojede Village, Orile-Imo, has taken legal action against the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland.
“In view of this, I hereby direct the Imo Traditional Council to take an appropriate action by placing the erring Baale on indefinite suspension with immediate effect, please. Thank you for your usual co-operation”, Oba Gbadebo ordered
