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Owa Obokun stool: Ofokutu royal family challenges Ajimoko-Haastrup dynasty

Published

3 months ago

December 8, 2024

Owa Obokun stool: Ofokutu royal family challenges Ajimoko-Haastrup dynasty

Two royal families in Bilaro Oluodo dynasty, Ofokutu and Ajimoko- Haastrup are currently engaged in battle of wits to succeed the late Owa of Ilesha, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.

While it has been established that the next paramount ruler of Ijesaland will come from Oluodo dynasty, the two royal families, however, are laying claims to the throne, a development that has not gone well with Ofokutu royal family which believes it is its turn to produce the next Owa Adimula.

In a statement issued by the secretary of the Ofokutu Royal Family, Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe, and made available to Sunday Tribune, the family appealed to the kingmakers to uphold principles of equity and fairness by considering a member of their family as the next Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

While calling on the Agba-Ijesa to ensure a balanced and just selection process for the highly revered throne of the Ilesa community, Ofokutu emphasised that the Ajimoko-Haastrup royal family, which is also part of the Bilaro Oluodo ruling house, has already produced two monarchs for the town, leaving other families unrepresented.

But in its own reaction, Ajimoko-Haastrup family said its involvement in the selection process is guided by law and tradition.

The Ofokutu statement noted that despite repeated appeals to the Ajimoko-Haastrup family to step aside and allow the Ofokutu family a chance to produce the next monarch, their request has been ignored.

“Any attempt to nominate or appoint a candidate from the Ajimoko-Haastrup Dynasty as the next Owa by the Agba-Ijesa would violate the principles of Omoluabi, equity, and fairness,” the statement said.

The statement further chronicled the dominance of the Ajimoko-Haastrup family in the rulership history of Ijesaland. It noted that the last two Owa Obokun, Fredrick Kumokun Adedeji Haastrup and Adejumola Alexander Haastrup, who reigned from 1896 to 1901 and 1942 to 1956, respectively, were from Ajimoko-Haastrup.

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Prince Adegbohungbe asserted that if the Agba-Ijesa failed to address the monopoly of the Ajimoko-Haastrup dynasty, the Ofokutu family might explore other avenues to assert their rights. He added that their intention was not to create discord but to ensure that no family within the Bilaro Oluodo ruling house is marginalised.

The Ofokutu Royal Family urged stakeholders to intervene promptly to preserve unity in Ijesaland.

“This is a matter that affects the collective future of our community. It is vital to foster inclusivity and uphold the traditional practices that have always guided us,” Adegbohungbe said.

“Despite numerous entreaties to the Ajimoko-Haastrup Royal Family to allow equity and fairness within the Ruling House by refraining from presenting any candidate for succession after the late Owa Adekunle Aromolaran II, it is apparent that the Ajimoko-Haastrup Royal Family seeks to monopolize the throne,” the statement added.

The Ofokutu Royal Family warned that continued favoritism towards one dynasty would effectively erase the other royal families within the Bilaro Oluodo ruling house, including the Adeyemi, Adebusuyi, Adegbohungbe, Obembe, and Osundaunsi-Adeyokunnu lineages.

“We passionately implore the Agba-Ijesa to consider the importance of fairness and the well-being of Ijesaland by refraining from selecting or endorsing any candidate from the Ajimoko-Haastrup family. The monopoly on rulership must end for the benefit of the entire Ijesaland,” the statement concluded.

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Reacting to the allegation, Prince Isaac Haastrup, representing the Ajimoko-Haastrup family, dismissed the claims as unfounded, arguing that succession to the Owa stool is governed by established laws.

“The stool of Owa is rotated among the four ruling houses, and the gazette clearly states that every heir of the succeeding ruling house is eligible to contest the throne whenever it becomes vacant,” he explained.

Haastrup referenced historical precedence, noting that the late Oba Adekunle Aromolaran II, from the Bilayiarere dynasty, contested and won the throne twice consecutively.

“The fact that any heir from the next reigning dynasty can challenge the stool, regardless of who vacated the position, is enshrined in our tradition,” he argued.

He also addressed the issue of bias, stating, “If an Ajimoko dynasty candidate becomes the next Owa Obokun, it would not constitute prejudice on the part of the kingmakers or the government, as the process adheres strictly to our established traditions.”

The family appealed to the kingmakers in Ijesaland to uphold principles of equity and fairness.

Owa Obokun stool: Ofokutu royal family challenges Ajimoko-Haastrup dynasty

Related Topics:Ajimoko-Haastrup Ofokutu Owa Obokun

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Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

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3 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

CSP Omolola Odutola

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

The Police Command in Ogun State has launched an investigation into the death of a 25-year-old man, Toye Dominic, whose body was discovered hanging from a tree in a forest near Alagbodagbo Village, Ijebu Igbo.

In a statement released on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident and said the body was found around 4:30 p.m.

According to Odutola, a local hunter, Kareem Olawalose, came across the scene while on a hunting trip and promptly reported the discovery to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Police Headquarters.

After spotting the body, Olawalose sought assistance from a nearby village, where he met the deceased’s elder brother, Joseph Dominic.

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The brother disclosed that Toye had left for the farm earlier in the day but failed to return, prompting a search by concerned family members.

“Policemen and villagers on arrival at the scene, observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was found hanging from a tree.“No suicide note was found, and family members expressed shock and disbelief over the incident,” Odutola said.

She added that officers documented the scene with photographs, and the body was taken to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination.
Odutola assured the public that the police would carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine the events leading to the tragedy.

She also encouraged community members to stay alert and support people who might be experiencing emotional distress, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and timely intervention.

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

metro

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

Published

4 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

The Kwara State High Court has fixed April 10 and 11 for the continuation of the trial of former governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and his finance commissioner, Demola Banu, over the alleged diversion of 5.78 billion naira from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two officials, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Testifying in court, Engineer Abdulsalam Olanrewaju, a former project manager at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), revealed that despite the state paying counterpart funds in 2014 and 2015, no contracts were awarded.

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He stated that while the 2013 contractors were eventually paid after protesting delays, funds meant for subsequent projects remained unused.

During cross-examination, Olanrewaju clarified that signatories to the SUBEB account were the accountant, permanent secretary, and executive chairman of the board.

Earlier, a second witness, Dr. Musa Dasuki, emphasized that matching grants from UBEC and SUBEB are strictly meant for school infrastructure and cannot be diverted for other purposes.

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

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Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

Published

4 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

Less than eight hours after his Chief Judge has been placed on investigation over alleged age falsification, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has properly written to the state House of Assembly of his intention to present the 2025 budget.

On Wednesday, Fubara was locked out of the Assembly Complex for what the spokesman of the House, Hon Enemi George said “his inability to formally communicate the House”.

In a letter titled: Notice of Presentation of Rivers State 2025 Budget to Rivers State House of Assembly, and addressed to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Governor recalled his first visit to the House.

“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025 for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“As you know, the planned presentation of the said budget could not take place because my entourage and I were locked out at the gate and denied entry into the premises despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to you following the failure of the Clerk to accept the hard copy from us.

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“Recall further that before this unfortunate incident, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified
true copy of the judgement and accompanying enrolled orders”, he said.

Governor Fubara informed the Speaker in the letter that “we were simply complying with both the order of the Supreme Court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on the 12th of March, 2025.

“The Supreme Court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their
powers and perform their duties within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering stalemate and advance the progress of our state and the well-being of our people.

“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the State and our
people should take priority over political conflicts.

“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr. Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on
Wednesday, 19th March, 2025 by 11.00 a.m. or any other date within March 2025 that you may
consider convenient”.

It is therefore left to be seen if the House will have the courtesy to respond to the letter giving the long time frame for thr presentation of the budget.