Ogun indigenes petition DSS, charges Egba chief For deception

Bidbol Solicitors and Advocates had on behalf of Kehinde Amusa, Sakarulahi Olanrewaju Sanmi Olatomi,written to the DSS State Director in Abeokuta, alerting the security agency of acts that could lead to bloodshed in Ijeja.

According to the letter signed by R. Oshomoji Esq, it was alleged that the Balogun of Egbaland, Chief Sikiru Atobatele, was conspiring with others “to install Sokunbi, a non-indigene, as the monarch.”

The petitioners had alleged that the Balogun of Ijeja, Chief Femi Solanke and the Ekerin Balogun of Ijeja, Chief Yemisi Sodipo had demanded a sum of N10 million from the said Sokunbi while they “hired the service of High Chief Sikiru Olatunde Atobatele, the Balogun of Egbaland.”

It was said that Chief Atobatele, who is the second-in-command to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, was using his position “to manipulate and pressurize the Alake into accepting their biddings.”

While acknowledging the power of the Paramount Ruler to enthrone anybody, they said, however, that “the person enthroned must have parental lineage in the town, specifically the male parent,” as stipulated by the Ogun State Chieftaincy law.

“The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo was not aware of the scheme that Chief Taiwo Sokunbi, who was brought to him through a proxy, Chief Atobatele (Balogun Egba) was not actually from Ijeja land,” it was said.

The petition read further that, Sokunbi’s parents are from Igbore Ntoji Compound also in Abeokuta.

“Chief Taiwo Sokunbi and his twin brother Mr. Kehinde Sokunbi were born at Igbore Egba Village called Seriki-Sotayo, very close to the Ogunmakin town in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.”

Meanwhile, the petitioners have called on the Alake, other stakeholders in Ogun chieftaincy affairs and the DSS to investigate the allegations, “before Ijeja community is turned into another Agodo.”