Ogun threatens to arrest 'illegal' monarchs
From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta

THE Ogun State government yesterday warned all those installed in a controversial manner by the Owu monarch, Oba Adegboyega Dosumu, as Obas (kings) to henceforth desist from parading themselves as such, else the "law would be enforced on them."



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According to Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aare Tunde Alabi, who spoke on behalf of the government through a statement in Abeokuta yesterday, all security agencies have been alerted about the state government's decision and are expected to apprehend such "impostors."

The installation of the 16 controversial Obas about three years ago ignited a controversy which has lingered on till now. The government and some other monarchs in the state insisted that Oba Dosumu acted outside the state Chieftaincy Law.

By the government's decision yesterday, it became clear that it has resolved to put a permanent end to the dispute.

The government has argued that the only prescribed authority the Olowu has is in respect of minor chiefs, whose chieftaincy titles are associated with Egba Owu section in Abeokuta North Local Council alone.

The coronet Obas that Oba Dosumu installed cut across Ifo Ado-Odo/Ota and other council areas in the state.

A newspaper had last week quoted one of Oba Dosumu's chiefs, Ekundayo Opaleye, a retired General, as saying that the Owu Kingdom will not reverse the installation of the controversial Obas since it has not flouted any known law.

But the commissioner's statement yesterday described Opaleye's statement as reckless, malicious "and deliberately made to cause disaffection, and create disharmony among the affected communities in Ogun State."

According to the statement, "One would have expected great restraint from a person of high repute such as Chief Opaleye, a former military governor, in making statements that are inciting.

"Ogun State has witnessed much bloodshed in recent past arising from the illegal acts of Oba Dosumu. "Enough is enough.

"All individuals imposed on various communities outside the Owu section of Abeokuta North Local Council are nothing but collaborators in the illegality perpetrated by the Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta and are therefore warned in their own interest to desist from parading themselves as Obas, failing which the law will take its course on them".

Continuing, the government added: "All security outfits in the state are, therefore, by this release, put on notice on the matter so as to legally apprehend such impostors.

"This becomes very important challenge to the security agencies as this ministry regularly receive reports from various communities on the breakdown of law and order occasioned by their act of illegality," the statement concluded.