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Ogbomoso: Controversies, Litigation Halt Appointment Of New Soun

Published

3 years ago

September 29, 2022

There are indications that Ogbomoso, the second largest city in Oyo State, South West Nigeria may not have a new king soon.

This is owing to fresh controversies trailing the appointment of a new monarch.

Ogbomoso, a city situated at the northern part of the present Oyo State was founded by Oba Olabanjo Ogundiran Ogunlola, a warrior who conquered Elemosho, an invader and a terror who troubled some parts of the old Oyo empire for many years.

Based on available historical facts and evidence, Soun Ogunlola was the first Soun of Ogbomoso.

Ogunlola reigned between 1659 and 1714.

He was succeeded by Oba Erinsaba Alamu Jogioro 1741–1770.

Other monarchs who reigned in Ogbomoso based on the available historical facts are Oba Ikumoyeje Ajo 1770–1797, Oba Toyeje Akanni (Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland) 1797–1825, Oba Oluwusi Aremu 1826–1840, Oba Jaiyeola Are Arolofin Alao 1840–1842, Oba Idowu Bolanta Adigun 1842–1845, Oba Ogunlabi Odunlaro 1845–1860, Oba Ojo Aburumaku Adio (Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland) 1860–1869, Oba Gbagungboye Ajamasa Ajagungbade 1 1869–1871 and Oba Laoye Atanda Orumogege 1871–1901.

The rest are Oba Majengbasan Elepo 1 1901–1907, Oba Adegoke Atanda Layode 1 1908–1914, Oba Itabiyi Olanrewaju Ande 1914–1916, Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade 11 1916–2/18/1940, Oba Lawani Oke ‘Lanipekun 1944–3/19/1952, Oba Olatunji Alao Elepo 11 1952–1966, Oba Olajide Olayode 11 1966–7/1/1969, Oba Salami Ajiboye Itabiyi 6/4/1972–6/2/1973 and Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111 1973-2021.

The traditional council in Ogbomoso also known as (The Ilus- Awon Ilu) is made up of 7 chiefs, among whom are six males and a female. They are headed by the Areago. The traditional council consists of Areago, Jagun, Bara, Ikolaba, Abese, Balogun and Iyalode.

Other chieftaincy titles in Ogbomoso are the Baale of Ijeru, Baale of Isapa, Baale of Masifa, Baale of Pakiotan, Baale of Okelerin, Baale of Osupa and Aare Alasa.

According to DAILY POST, the town has no king at the moment.

The throne of the king of the city christened Soun of Ogbomoso became vacant as a result of the transition of the Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111 who joined his ancestors on Sunday, 12th December, 2021.

The monarch, who reigned for 48 years, joined his ancestors at the age of 95.

Born on May 27th, 1926, in Ogbomoso, he ascended the throne of his forefathers on October 24, 1973.

Even though the kingmakers said that they had concluded their work on the appointment of new Soun, the town had remained without a king.

It was gathered that the kingmakers have screened the princes who indicated interest to ascend the throne and have since picked a nominee to ascend the throne.

Twenty five indigenes from various families indicated interest in the throne.

The name of the Soun nominee, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, was submitted to the Oyo State government in March this year.

The kingmakers concluded their work on March 22, and dispatched the name of the nominee to Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, through Ogbomoso North Local Government.

But the selection and appointment of the new monarch has suffered another setback.

This was sequel to a court action by one of the contenders to the throne, Prince Kabir Muhammed Olaoye.

Olaoye challenged the process of appointment of the new monarch in suit number HOG/27/2022.

The case was instituted at an Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso division.

The plaintiff is challenging the processes for the emergence of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye.

He sought an injunction against the approval of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye by the Oyo State government and a repeat of the selection process.

The 1st to 6th defendants in the case are the Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde; Oyo State Attorney General; Oyo State commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters; Ogbomoso North Local Government; Ogbomoso North Traditional Council and the Mogaji of Olaoye family, Prince Amos Olawole Olaoye.

The 7th, 6th, 9th, 10th and 11th defendants are members of the kingmakers, among whom are Chief S. O. Otolorin (Areago of Ogbomosoland/chairman, kingmakers of Soun Chieftaincy Ogbomoso); Chief Salawu Ajadi (Jagun); Chief Tijani Abioye (Baara); Chief David Adeniran Ojo (Ikolaba); Chief Yusuf Kasali Oladipupo (Abese) while Prince Afolabi Ghandi Oladunni Olaoye (Soun nominee) is the 12th defendant.

After hearing the pleas of the counsels, the judge, Hon Justice Kareem Adedokun, granted an oral application by the counsel to Prince Kabir Olaoye, Barrister Dapo Atanda, that “parties should maintain status quo without waiting for the order of the court.”

Atanda in his oral application argued that the 12 defendants refused to file a memorandum of appearance and their statement of defence as required by law which is 30 days, noting that it was over three months ago they had been served the process.

“In those three months, they were sleeping and snoring on the matter, refusing to join issue with us,” said, praying the court for injunction against the approval of the nominee by the State government.

He then requested for an undertaking by the counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, Mrs. Funmi Adebayo, to stay action in the process, which was, however, declined.

Adebayo, on the contrary, prayed for an accelerated hearing on the matter.

Counsel to 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th defendants, Kola Fatoye, whom Peter Idowu held brief for, did not oppose the oral application.

Justice Adedokun, though refused the order of injunction, granted the application for status quo.

“The applications of the learned counsel to the claimant are hereby granted as prayed.”

Adedokun added that “All the parties in this suit are to maintain the status quo (i.e. the position they were in as of the date this suit was instituted).

“Also accelerated hearing of this matter is hereby ordered.”

The case has been adjourned till November 10, 2022, after the judge might have returned from leave.

DAILY POST reports that going by these developments, Ogbomoso may not have a new king soon.
DAILY POST

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Artemetrin DS, Antibiotic Ciprofit 500 In Circulation

Published

3 minutes ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over falsified versions of two essential medicines, warning of serious health risks.

In a statement numbered 030/2025, the agency said counterfeit batches of the anti-malarial Artemetrin DS and the antibiotic Ciprofit 500 were in circulation, despite being sourced from licensed vendors and wholesalers.

Laboratory tests showed the products contained dangerously low levels of active ingredients. NAFDAC said Artemetrin DS, labelled as manufactured by A.C. Drugs Ltd in Enugu State, contained only 59.2 per cent artemether and 71.2 per cent lumefantrine — well below the 90-110 per cent potency limit.

Ciprofit 500, falsely labelled as produced by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, was found to contain just 5.7 per cent ciprofloxacin. Neither drug is registered in NAFDAC’s official database and the registration numbers printed on the packaging were fabricated.

“The implications of substandard anti-malarials in a malaria-endemic country like Nigeria cannot be overstated,” a NAFDAC spokesperson said in the alert. “These falsified products undermine treatment efficacy and could lead to preventable deaths.”

The agency urged the public to stop using the medicines and return the stocks to its nearest office. Those who have taken the drugs and experienced adverse reactions or treatment failure should seek immediate medical attention.

The World Health Organisation estimates that substandard and falsified medicines make up about 10 per cent of the global market. In Nigeria, prevalence may be higher, complicating the fight against malaria, which kills over 200,000 people annually, and bacterial infections, which contribute to high morbidity.

The latest warning comes after NAFDAC seized fake malaria drugs worth 1.2 billion naira ($750,000) in Lagos on 12 September. Earlier alerts this year covered falsified Postinor-2 contraceptives, Oxytocin injections, and milk products. The regulator has pledged to reduce falsified medicine prevalence to below five per cent by the end of 2025.

NAFDAC advised healthcare providers, distributors, and consumers to verify products using its online database, purchase only from authorised outlets, and report suspicious cases via its hotline or dedicated email.

The agency’s director-general, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed its commitment to tackling counterfeit medicines. “With the full support of the government, we will continue to intensify surveillance and enforcement to eliminate these threats,” she said in a recent address.

News

Police Clear Pastor Paul Adefarasin Over ‘Gun-like’ Object In Viral Video

Published

25 minutes ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has cleared Pastor Paul Adefarasin of any wrongdoing following an investigation into a viral video in which he appeared to be holding a gun-like object from his vehicle.

The police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the object was not a real gun, but a stun gun, which is not a deadly weapon.

The police added that there are no sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter and that the case is hereby discontinued.

The statement read: “Following the incident, wherein Pastor Paul Adefarasin turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, in connection with a viral video showing him holding a gun-like object, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to provide a further update on the matter.

“After a thorough investigation, including interrogation and a cautionary statement from Pastor Adefarasin, it was established that the object in question was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon or firearm.

“Consequent on our findings, the Lagos State Police Command has determined that there are no sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter. The case is hereby discontinued.

The incident happened on June 6, 2025, when a short video went viral online.

In the video, Pastor Adefarasin rolled down his tinted car window and appeared to hold a gun-like object. A man filming the car quickly began to apologise, saying, “Boss, boss, sorry sir, sorry sir,” as the pastor drove away.

After the video caused a stir on social media, Pastor Adefarasin spoke out to deny claims that he had a gun or threatened anyone.

“You might be aware of a video circulating on social media showing me in what some have misunderstood as brandishing a firearm. I want to assure you that was certainly not a firearm, and at no point did I point such at anyone,” he stated.

News

Govt Urged To Enforce Anti-ozone Layer Laws, Embrace Clean Energy Technology

Published

2 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian government has been called upon to enforce existing anti-ozone layer depletion laws and support the use of clean energy technologies.

Stakeholders, who made the call in Benin City on Tuesday at the commemoration of the 2025 International Ozone Day celebration with the theme: ‘From Science to Global Action,’ lamented that Borno, Rivers, Abuja and Lagos are the worst hit states by radiation from the Ozone layer.

The 2025 International Ozone Day celebration was organised by Save The Ozone Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal and State Ministries of Environment and the National Centre for Energy and Environment (NCEE) situated at the University of Benin City.

In his opening address, the chairman of the event, Professor Anthony Ogbeibu, said Nigeria must sustain its policies on the ozone layer because “recent scientific research shows that Ozone depletion and exposure to erythemal UV radiation (EUVR), affect Nigeria more than many places. So we are not isolated from this global threat.”

He added: “It is documented that in Borno, Rivers, Abuja and Lagos, UV radiation often reaches very high extreme levels in the midday, especially in the dry and early rainy seasons. Even a short exposure with no protection can have harmful effects.”

Ogbeibu, who advocated for enlightenment on UV risks and protective behaviours, added: “We must support clean technologies by enforcing existing laws more strictly and ensuring that ozone-depleting substances are not imported or used illegally.”

In his keynote address, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who was represented by Osagie Edomwandagbon said the Nigerian government has been carrying out a lot of sensitization on the protection of the ozone layer through various policy formulations and implementations.

On his part, the Acting Director of the NCEE, Dr. Emmanuel Ogbomida said the Energy Commission of Nigeria and its specialised research centres have been supporting the global mission to protect the ozone layer.

“Then the Ozone hole is shrinking and experts project that the ozone layer will return to pre-1980slevel between 2060 and 2070. However, this could only be achieved by not allowing complacency in the efforts at protecting the ozone layer.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director and Founder of Save The Ozone, Nigeria, Ozaveshe Balogun commended participants, saying the annual event was as a result of the Montreal Protocol that gave a clear global definition to the protection of the environment.