Orangun of Ila-Orangun Denies Endorsing Governor Adeleke for Second Term

• Palace distances itself from unauthorised political visit, warns politicians against dragging traditional institutions into partisan politics

ILA-ORANGUN, Nigeria – The Orangun of Ila-Orangun, Oba Abdulwahab Kayode Adedotun Bibire II, has firmly distanced himself and his throne from claims that he endorsed Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in the upcoming 2026 governorship election.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday by the High Chiefs of Ila-Orangun — including the Elemo, Ejemu, Odode, Osolo, and Ode Ilu Ila — the palace declared that the monarch remains neutral and non-partisan, describing reports linking him to the governor’s re-election bid as false and misleading. The clarification comes just days after the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, released a statement claiming that a delegation of chiefs, led by the Obalotun of Ila-Orangun, Chief Douglas Oyinlola, had visited Governor Adeleke on behalf of the monarch and pledged the community’s support for his second-term ambition. But the palace has now set the record straight, insisting that the delegation acted without the knowledge, authorisation, or approval of the traditional ruler.

According to the palace statement, Oba Adedotun neither authorised nor directed any group or individual to represent him before the governor. The monarch also made it clear that the palace was not consulted or informed about the visit prior to its occurrence. “Those who participated in the visit did so in their personal capacities, and their actions should not be interpreted as the position of the traditional institution or the people of Ila-Orangun,” the statement read in part. The palace further stressed that while chiefs and traditional titleholders are entitled to express their personal political views, they must not invoke the monarch’s name without his express approval.

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Oba Adedotun, who has consistently maintained that his role is to serve all subjects regardless of their political affiliations, cautioned politicians against involving traditional institutions in partisan activities capable of creating unnecessary political tension in the state. The monarch reaffirmed that his focus remains on the development, peace, and unity of his domain, not the advancement of any political party or candidate. “I am after the development of my domain. I am not involved in politics. What I found disturbing is the way they dropped my name without my consent,” the Orangun was quoted as saying. He called on all political actors and their supporters to remain peaceful, avoid violence, and place the unity and development of Osun State above partisan interests.

The palace has also revealed that appropriate internal measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence of such unauthorised use of the monarch’s name. While the statement did not specify the nature of these measures, it made it clear that the traditional institution would not tolerate further attempts to drag the throne into partisan politics.

In a related development, a socio-cultural group, the Igbomina Touch Bearers, has condemned the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, for releasing what they described as a “false and misleading” statement capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state. The group alleged that the chiefs who visited the governor are openly affiliated with political parties and lacked the moral authority to speak for the traditional institution or the people of Ila-Orangun.

While distancing himself from the political endorsement, the Orangun acknowledged the Osun State Government for completing and commissioning a road project in the community. However, the palace also commended Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, representing Osun Central Senatorial District, for facilitating developmental projects in Ila-Orangun. These include advocacy for the dualisation of a major road, the approval of a 132kVA/60MVA power substation, and the establishment of the Ajagunla Radio Station.

With the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, political activities are intensifying across the state. The controversy surrounding the Orangun’s alleged endorsement highlights the growing pressure on traditional rulers to take sides, even as many of them strive to maintain neutrality. This is not the first time the Orangun has had to assert his independence. In a recent encounter with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, the monarch reportedly offered prayers and blessings, telling the candidate, “God will answer AMBO and make it possible for him to become the Governor of Osun.” However, palace sources insist that such prayers are customary and should not be misconstrued as political endorsements.

Orangun of Ila-Orangun Denies Endorsing Governor Adeleke for Second Term

NBA election: Lawyers seek court order to halt Badejo-Okusanya’s swearing-in

The legal dispute over the outcome of the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election has deepened as the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) filed a fresh application before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to stop the swearing-in of NBA President-elect Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) and other newly elected national officers.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1471/2026, ALDRAP also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as a respondent, asking the court to preserve the current leadership of the NBA until all legal issues surrounding the election are resolved.

The plaintiff is seeking an interim and perpetual injunction restraining the NBA, its National Executive Committee (NEC), officers, agents and representatives from swearing in Badejo-Okusanya or any other elected national officer pending the final determination of the substantive suit. It also requested an order directing the association to maintain the status quo until the court reaches a decision.

According to court documents, ALDRAP is challenging the validity, legality and constitutionality of the processes that produced the outcome of the 2026 NBA election. The association alleged that the election was affected by voter disenfranchisement, technical failures of the electronic voting platform, non-compliance with the NBA National Executive Council (NEC)-approved timetable and constitutional issues relating to Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The association argued that allowing the newly elected officials to assume office before the court determines the case could render the proceedings ineffective and undermine any eventual judgment. It maintained that preserving the current leadership would protect the integrity of the judicial process while the case is being heard.

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In an additional application filed before the court, ALDRAP requested that Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), fellow contestants Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN) and Lateef Akangbe (SAN), as well as Amnesty International, Yiaga Africa and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), be joined as necessary parties in the suit.

The plaintiff argued that the inclusion of the newly elected officials, election observers and other stakeholders is essential to enable the court to comprehensively determine all issues surrounding the conduct and outcome of the election.

ALDRAP’s Administrative Secretary, Jesse Amuga, also questioned the transparency of the electoral process, expressing concern that none of the domestic or international observer groups that monitored the election had publicly released reports detailing their findings.

According to Amuga, the absence of observer reports has raised questions about the credibility of the electronic voting infrastructure deployed for the election. He argued that the silence of the observer organisations has fuelled public concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.

The latest application follows an earlier suit in which ALDRAP sought to restrain the Attorney-General of the Federation from interfering in the NBA election. The association also asked the court to declare that neither the AGF nor the NBA should interfere with the conferment of the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel introduced by ALDRAP as an alternative recognition for non-litigation lawyers.

The legal action comes only days after the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) declared Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) winner of the presidential election.

According to the official results announced by the electoral committee, Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes to defeat Lateef Akangbe (SAN), who polled 7,934 votes, and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), who received 5,855 votes.

Her victory makes her the 33rd President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association and one of the few women elected to lead Nigeria’s foremost professional body for lawyers.

She is scheduled to be sworn in on August 21, 2026, when she is expected to succeed the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), unless the Federal High Court grants the interim relief sought by ALDRAP.

The case is expected to test the legal validity of the election process and could have significant implications for the leadership transition within the Nigerian Bar Association, as lawyers across the country await the court’s decision on the applications.

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Court sentences pastor to death for killing daughter over alleged witchcraft

A Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, after falsely accusing her of witchcraft.

Justice Blessing Egwu of High Court No. 11 delivered the judgment on Monday, holding that the prosecution proved the offence of murder beyond reasonable doubt and established the defendant’s guilt through credible evidence presented during the trial.

The verdict brings to a close a case that attracted widespread national attention and condemnation from child rights advocates, disability rights groups and civil society organisations, who described the killing as a tragic consequence of harmful witchcraft accusations against children, particularly those living with disabilities.

According to evidence presented before the court, Deborah Bassey, who was living with Down syndrome, was repeatedly accused of being a witch by her father before she was eventually killed. Prosecutors argued that the accusations were baseless and driven by superstition rather than any factual evidence.

In delivering judgment, Justice Egwu ruled that the prosecution successfully established all the essential ingredients of the offence of murder, leaving no reasonable doubt as to the defendant’s culpability. The court subsequently imposed the death sentence prescribed under the applicable provisions of the law.

The judgment has been welcomed by child protection advocates, who say it sends a strong message that perpetrators of violence against children will be held accountable regardless of their social or religious status.

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Reacting to the ruling, the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) described the conviction as a landmark victory in the fight against child abuse, witchcraft branding and violence targeting vulnerable children.

In a statement signed by its Principal Counsel and Co-Founder, James Ibor, the organisation said the judgment represents a significant milestone in efforts to eliminate the dangerous practice of accusing children of witchcraft.

According to BRCI, the verdict not only delivers justice for Deborah but also reinforces the principle that every child has the constitutional right to life, dignity and protection from abuse.

The organisation said the decision should serve as a warning to individuals who continue to subject children to torture, abandonment or death based on false accusations of witchcraft.

BRCI commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Cross River State Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, prosecutors, investigators and other stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the successful prosecution of the case.

The group also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable children and pledged to intensify advocacy against witchcraft accusations, child abuse and discrimination affecting children living with disabilities.

Child rights advocates have repeatedly expressed concern over the continued stigmatisation of children with developmental or intellectual disabilities in some communities, where myths and superstitions have occasionally resulted in abuse, abandonment and even killings.

Experts emphasise that Down syndrome is a naturally occurring genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Medical professionals have consistently stated that the condition has no connection with supernatural beliefs or witchcraft and have urged families to seek appropriate healthcare, education and social support for affected children.

The case has also renewed calls for stronger enforcement of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act and related child protection laws enacted by various states, which prohibit abuse, neglect, discrimination and all forms of violence against children.

Legal analysts say the conviction reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that offences involving children are prosecuted without fear or favour.

Advocates are also urging governments, religious institutions, traditional leaders and community organisations to increase public awareness about disability rights and child protection while discouraging harmful beliefs that expose children to violence.

The judgment is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies and child protection organisations to combat witchcraft-related violence and ensure justice for victims across Nigeria.

Court sentences pastor to death for killing daughter over alleged witchcraft