Trouble is brewing in the Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje local government of Ondo State, as a first class chief, The Amapetu, Oba Lawrence Omowole was deposed by kingmakers for alleged abuse of office even as the Oba tagged the kingmakers as blackmailers.
The kingmakers had alleged that Omowole was removed for what they described as misconduct having himself removed Oba Beniah Idiogbe as the Alaboto of Aboto and installed a foreigner, one Oyetayo Ofoaye as the new king of the town. They said that Ofoaye hails from Ukohi family who are total strangers and of refugee status in Aboto.
They recalled that the same Ofoaye with one Omolere Menukuro had challenged the appointment of Oba Idiogbe as the Alaboto of Aboto at Okitipupa High Court in 2007. They added that the suit was consequently dismissed.
The decision to remove the first class monarch was taken at a meeting attended by Mahin Obas, Olojas, Baales and youth organization, held on February 14, 2017 at Igbokola, the headquarters of Ilaje local government.
The letter of his removal was signed by four out of the five kingmakers, who claimed that the copies of the letter had been served on the embattled king, the local government and the state government.
The kingmakers, who signed the letter sacking the first class chief are Urayen Ogefun of Mahinland, High Chief Akinyemi Omoyele, Asaron of Mahinland, High Chief Roju Malumi, Jadigba of Mahinland, Olibamayo Aladetan and Yasere of Mahin, High Chief Godwin Balogun.
The kingmakers asked the Yasere of Mahin, Balogun, who is the chairman of the council of chiefs to take charge of the affairs of the kingdom.
The letter reads: “that by our history, no one, not even the Amapetu, has the power or authority to concede an inch of Mahinland or allow any stranger to weat a crown within our territory.
“That after a catalogue of complaints by the Mahin people of different communities of the acts and omission of the present Amapatu of Mahin, particularly with respect to the kingdom teritorial integrity, land use, cieftaincy matters, including the issue of the Alaboto of Aboto and minor chiefs in Igbokoda; the meeting supported the decision of the Mahin Kingmakers passing a vote of no confidence on the Monarch and declaring the seat vacant for the time being.
“That we are conscious of the special stake of Mahin in the Ilaje project on account of our larger population, overwhelming land mass, ownership of the headquarters of Ilaje accommodating all groups and our strategic geographical location without which others Ilajes have no access to their kingdoms and homes.
“We shall however, not compromise our inheritance in any manner whatsoever including our kingdom’s territorial integrity, land use, chieftaincy and customs and tradition generally.
“That we urged the government of Ondo State to accord Oba Idiogbe all his rights and privileges as the Alaboto of Aboto and resist any prompting or temptation from any quarters not even the Amapetu of Mahin to appoint any other person or by any means contemplate appointment of any person not being of Mahin origin or descent as Oba in Aboto or any other part of Mahin land.”
But, Omowole denied the allegation saying that the kingmakers are only on a mission to blackmail him. He alleged that some of those who signed the letter were fake kingmakers.
Omowole made it clear that the kingmakers have no power to remove him, except his people, adding that his people are strongly behind him. [myad]
