Royal Boxing: Oba Akinropo sets to drag Oluwo to court
The Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Oba Dhikirulahi Akinropo, who was allegedly assaulted by the controversial traditional ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, calling for the prosecution of Oluwo.
Penpushing reports that, Akinropo made the demand on Wednesday through his counsel, Soji Oyetayo arguing that the alleged act in the presence of two Osun State Commissioners and some officers is a criminal conduct and punishable by law..
The letter, made available to journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, was titled “Letter of demand for the immediate prosecution of Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo”, reminded the Assistant Inspector General of Police the ugly development occurred in his presence.
“The ugly incident happened in your presence, two Honourable Osun State Commissioners, some of your officers who were at the said meeting and other traditional rulers invited for the said peace meeting.”
“In fact, it was your humble self who disengaged the said Oluwo of Iwo, from killing our client on that day. It needs to be clearly stated that under our law, nobody, no matter highly placed, is above the law. The act of the said Oluwo of Iwo, at the said meeting by beating a fellow traditional ruler clearly amounted to criminal conduct which is punishable by law”, the lawyer wrote
Penpushing further reports that, the petition told Bashir Makama, the Assistant Inspector General of Police for the zone, who witnessed the incident that failure to charge Oluwo to court for his ‘criminal conduct’ will amount to disrepute of his office.
The residents of five communities comprising Ayedire, Olaoluwa Ogbaagba, Ile-Ogbo and Iwo communities in Osun State had earlier on Monday embarked on a peaceful protest calling for the removal of the controversial traditional ruler of Iwo town, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi for allegedly attacking his colleague, Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Dhikrulahi Akinropo.
Penpushing reports that, the protest which took place in major streets of Osogbo, the Osun State Capital, came just as the State Government disclosed that, the Council of Traditional Rulers has stepped into the matter.
The protesters, carrying anti Akanbi placards insisted that, Oluwo must be brought to book, recalling that the report has it that while a land dispute meeting was ongoing which was initiated by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 11,Bashir Makama in Osogbo, Akanbi allegedly stood up from where he was sitting and descended on Akinropo which led to being rushed to the hospital.
Penpushing further reports that, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police called the peace meeting following several meetings held in Iwo town to restore law and order, but ended in deadlock, while sources said the Oluwo had asked other monarchs in Iwo to stop selling land without his consent.
However, the embattled monarch in reaction to the allegation did not deny assaulting his colleague, but explained that his act and action was self-defense against the attempt of Akinropo to stick his staff of office in his eyes.
The State Government in a statement noted that the dignity of traditional stool and sacredness of royalty was paramount, hence, the need to preach peace to all citizens and harmonious relationship among traditional rulers.
Penpushing also reports that, the statement signed by the Commissioner of Information, Funke Egbemode said the State Council of Traditional Rulers has stepped into the matter, expressing confidence that the council will appropriate step..
“We are confident that the council will take appropriate steps to preserve peaceful coexistence among the Obas in the state. We do not want any crisis in any part of the State,” she said as the described the face-off as unfortunate’, she added.
‘We believe in the dignity of traditional stools and sacredness of royalty. We will continue to preach peace among all our citizens and harmonious relationship among our traditional rulers, Egbemode emphasised
