Royal Boxing: I did not attack my colleague, but acted in self defence, says Oluwo

The controversial traditional ruler of Iwo town, Osun State, South West of Nigeria, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has explained that his alleged attack on his colleague the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Dhrikulahi Akinropo, was done in self defence.

Penpushing reports that, the Oluwo in a statement personally signed on Monday and made available to journalists in his palace said at the meeting, the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Oba  Dhrikulahi Akinropo attempted to use his staff of office to pluck his eyes .

“I quickly responded to prevent him from achieving their plan to turn me to a blind king. These monarchs are lording themselves over their subjects, taking their family lands and selling their inheritance with impunity. They have gone as far as arresting and imprisoning anyone in these families, who tried to obstruct them from selling their heritage”.

The Oluwo added that, he was not on friendly terms with some monarchs in the State explaining that monarchs in Iwo, Ola-Oluwa and Ayedire local governments of the State comprising Iwoland “are inflicting hardship on their subjects”.

Penpushing also reports that, Akanbi reacting to public reactions to his alleged misconduct during the tussle said “most Nigerians allow sentiments to override their sense of reasoning and hail bad leaders, stressing that, ‘but I have vowed to continuously fight corruption in the traditional system just like President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting political corruption by turning deaf ears to critics.”

“I feel bad about the strong oppressing the weak and the vulnerable in the society because I always feel the pains of the people that why would something like this happen in Iwoland Traditional Council.”

“Many family lands with ancient cash crop trees such as cocoa, palm kernel tree, oranges, plantain, etc are sold and uprooted without the consent of the family owning the land. They went as far as selling a land to about six people. Many families have been rendered ineffective; many orphans had their land grabbed with no compensation. Many cried to my palace seeking justice.”

The Oluwo also alleged that his colleagues “often pay thugs to protect illegally-acquired land sold to speculators for as low as N60,000″,disclosing that  before the matter attracted police attention, he had summoned his colleagues to meetings “but often, they refuse to listen to me”.

“No, I have told them I cannot stand here and watch them oppress our people. I am human and I feel the pains of their victims. Anyone doing such will not be forgiven by the destiny(ies) of the affected families,” he explained.

Penpushing recalled that the Oluwo was  allegedly assaulted his colleague, the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Dhrikulahi Akinropo, at the office of the AIG zone 11, Osogbo, Bashir Makama, last Friday during a peace meeting, over a land dispute.

The allegation further has it that, while the meeting was ongoing, the traditional ruler of Iwo allegedly stood up from where he was sitting and ‘descended’ on  Akinropo which led to the latter being rushed to the hospital.

Penpushing reports that, following the development, on Monday, some residents and Chiefs of Ogbaagba, Ile-Ogbo and Iwo demanded sanctions against Oluwo, describing his alleged crime as ridiculous.

Meanwhile, other traditional rulers in attendance during the feud  include  Quadri Adeoye, Oluwo of Iwo-Oke; Oyebamiji Oyeleso of Oluponna, Adio Oyediran of Igegeland, Solomon Ojo of Ikonifin, Moshood Oparonke of Eesu, among others.