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Ogbomoso: Controversies, Litigation Halt Appointment Of New Soun

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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.

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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.

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READ ALSO: Soun: RCCG Pastor Promises To Embrace 3 Religion As He Becomes Chosen Oba

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Another Traditional Ruler Joins Ancestors In Oyo

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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READ ALSO: BREAKING: Soun Of Ogbomoso Joins His Ancestors At 95

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).

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“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

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7.6m Tramadol Pills, 76,273kg Colorado, Skunk Seized In Delta, Imo, Adamawa

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recovered over 7.6 million pills of tramadol and 76,273.4 kilogrammes of different strains of cannabis, Colorado, Loud and Skunk with members of drug trafficking organisations linked to the seizures arrested.

Out of the total opioids seized during the raids, not less than 3,874,000 pills of 225mg and 100mg tramadol, and others as well as of codeine syrup were recovered from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

About 1.2 million tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from a suspect, Kelechi Nwakocha, 35, on Wednesday, December 3, when NDLEA operatives on patrol at Orogwe, along Onitsha/Owerri road, Imo State, intercepted his vehicle conveying the consignment, which was loaded at Aba, Abia State, heading to Onitsha, Anambra State.

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In Adamawa State, NDLEA officers, on Monday, December 1, 2025, intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus marked MGU 554 XB along Maraba/Mubi coming from Jos, Plateau State, with 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and exol-5 tablets, all concealed inside jumbo bags mixed with new rubber sandals and slippers.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Seizes 7.6m Tramadol Pills, 76,273kg Cannabis In Nationwide Raids

Two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were arrested in connection with the seizure. Another suspect, Mudansir Rabiu, 27, was nabbed along Zaria/Kano road, Kano State, with 197,000 pills of exol-5.

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Operatives of a special unit of NDLEA stormed forests in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where they destroyed 14,654 kilogrammes of skunk and arrested two suspects: Yusuf Iliyasu, 50, and Okumu Chinedu, 26.

In another operation, the operatives on Tuesday, December 2, stormed the forests in Asin-Ekiti, Ikole Local Council, Ekiti State, where they destroyed 54,300kg of skunk in two large warehouses that were razed while 28.3kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.

Following actionable intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, December 2, raided Igoba forest in Akure North Local Council, Ondo State, where 2,483 compressed blocks of skunk and 247 bags of same substance, all weighing 5,442 kilogrammes, were recovered and five suspects arrested. Those nabbed include Jacob Omodowo, 66; Joy Oluatobi Peace, 24; Babatunde Olamide, 40; Echi Fidelis Joseph, 57; and Ankrah Akano, 56.

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READ ALSO:NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine-laden Vessel From Brazil, Detains 20 Filipinos (VIDEO)

While 500kg of same substance was recovered from a Mercedes Benz van marked MGU 614 XB by NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa/Jebba road in Niger State on December 4, with the driver, Amos Yakubu, 46, arrested, operatives in Abuja on Wednesday, December 3, intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, weighing 22kg at Abaji expressway.

A follow-up operation at the Jabi park in Abuja led to the arrest of a female receiver, Blessing Ali, 33. Also in the FCT, Aliyu Usman, 39, was arrested by operatives on Friday, December 5, with 24kg skunk and 573,500 pills of exol-5 along Kwali/Gwagwalada expressway

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In Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 217 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 113kg from Ezenwa Udoka at Ladipo Market, Mushin, while Izuchukwu Usulor was nabbed with 351kg skunk at Onipanu area of the state on December 5, and Susan Okoro arrested with 104.1kg of same psychoactive substance at Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, on Tuesday, December 2.

A total of 447.5kg of skunk was recovered from two Honda Accord cars marked: ABC-678 KK and GGE-772 FB at Agho forest, Akoko Edo Local Council, Edo State.

READ ALSO:

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A suspect, Dada Adedara Babawibi, 56, was apprehended in connection with the seizure. A raid at a warehouse in the Isiefve community, Ohuwunde Local Council, led to the seizure of 315.8kg of skunk and the arrest of a suspect, Stanley Obasuwa.

With the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig-Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers and men of SOU, Delta, Adamawa, Imo, Ondo, Lagos, Kano, FCT, Niger and Edo commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures.

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He stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts were well appreciated.
Photo and Caption: Intercepted illicit drugs and suspects
(GUARDIAN)

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ICPC, Works Ministry Launch Nationwide Audit Of 760 Road Projects Worth N36tn

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Ministry of Works have jointly embarked on an unprecedented nationwide audit of 760 federal road projects valued at more than N36 trillion.

This is according to a statement released by J. Okor Odey, spokesperson for the anti-graft commission, which described the feat as one of the most extensive infrastructure verification exercises in Nigeria’s history.

Odey said the Special Tracking Exercise, which commenced on November 14, 2025, deploys combined teams of ICPC investigators, engineers from the Works Ministry, and independent experts from professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS).

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According to the statement, the audit teams are currently operating across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to conduct physical verification and performance assessments of the targeted projects.

READ ALSO:ICPC Arraigns Woman For Forging Marriage Certificate, Visa Fraud

The initiative aims to close financial leakages, strengthen procurement integrity, and guarantee that Nigeria’s massive investments in road infrastructure yield real value for citizens.

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The commission said key objectives of the exercise include enhancing fiscal governance, exposing and deterring contract fraud, enforcing contractor accountability, and recovering funds from inflated or failed projects.

The commission emphasised that the collaborative approach was designed to ensure sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure delivery nationwide.

The field activities involve detailed inspections of project sites, scrutiny of contract documents, and evaluation of deliverables.

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The commission promised that at the end of the state-by-state assessments, findings would be compiled into a comprehensive national audit report. This will form the basis for sanctions, financial recoveries, and other enforcement actions against individuals or companies implicated in wrongdoing.

READ ALSO:ICPC Probes N71.2bn Discrepancy In Student Loan Disbursement

“This exercise represents a proactive, system-driven approach to safeguarding our national infrastructure investments,” the commission stated.

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Tracking 760 projects of this magnitude underscores our resolve to partner with government institutions in closing leakages, promoting accountability, and ensuring that public projects translate into tangible public good.”

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transparency in public procurement and ensuring full value for every naira allocated to federal road projects.

In other news, Justice Josephine Obanor of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Jabi, Abuja, has affirmed the powers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate scholarship funds in Kano State.

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READ ALSO:ICPC Interrogates CBN Officials, Others Over $3.4bn COVID-19 Loan

Officials from the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Hadi Bala, and those from the Kano State Scholarship Board, had dragged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the ICPC before the court, alleging that invitations sent to them by the commission violated their fundamental rights.

Their invitation, which requested that the officials provide documents and clarification on allegations against them, was part of the ICPC’s investigation into a petition received by the commission, alleging financial impropriety in the administration of scholarship funds in the state.

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Delivering judgment in the case brought before the court in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2857/2025, the judge upheld the power of the anti-graft agency to carry out its statutory mandate of investigation.

Justice Obanor held that an invitation letter from ICPC for investigative purposes does not constitute a breach of fundamental rights.

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Gbaboyor’s Allegations Against Otuaro Baseless, Malicious — PAP Office

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The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has described the recent allegations made by Mr Jude Gbaboyor against the Administrator of the Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, as baseless and malicious.

In a video circulating on Facebook, which he purportedly recorded in the United States, Gbaboyor levelled grave and unfounded accusations against Dr Otuaro, including claims of murder, ritualism, and kidnapping.

Reacting to the video, in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Monday, stated that the video in which he called for the Administrator’s removal, “represents yet another desperate attempt by Gbaboyor to defame Otuaro’s character and undermine the credible work of the Programme.”

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The statement added that “Gbaboyor now a fugitive committed the crimes of cyberstalking among others and decided to flee the country to evade arrest and prosecution.”

READ ALSO:Otuaro Pledges To Expand PAP Scholarship As Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities

The statement emphasized that the said Gbaboyor was dismissed from the PAP due to his “unacceptable conduct some years back and should be discountenanced by the reading public.”

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The statement reads, ‘’This is not the first time Gbaboyor has made outrageous and unsubstantiated claims against the PAP boss. His persistent campaign of calumny prompted the PAP Administrator to formally petition relevant security agencies, citing cyberstalking and criminal intimidation.

“When invited by the Nigeria Police Force to answer questions regarding these spurious allegations, Gbaboyor fled the country, effectively making himself a fugitive from justice.

‘’It is instructive to note that Gbaboyor’s relentless attacks on Dr Otuaro began only after the Administrator rejected his request for reinstatement at the Amnesty Office, from which he was previously dismissed several years ago due to his lack of character.

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READ ALSO:PAP Begins Second Phase Distribution Of Laptops To Scholarship Beneficiaries

“Having failed to ingratiate himself with the PAP leadership and secure reemployment through proper channels, Gbaboyor has resorted to character assassination and the dissemination of false information.

‘’Particularly troubling is Gbaboyor’s appeal to the President of the United States to interfere in what is purely a personal matter under local jurisdiction. This represents a profound insult to Nigeria’s sovereignty and a misguided attempt to internationalise personal grievances.

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‘’The Presidential Amnesty Programme urges members of the public to disregard these irresponsible acts and baseless allegations in their entirety. If Gbaboyor genuinely believes in the veracity of his claims, he should demonstrate the courage of his convictions by returning to Nigeria to substantiate them before the appropriate authorities and courts of law.

READ ALSO:Otuaro Thanks Tinubu As PAP Deploys 161 For Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship

’Instead, his flight from lawful police invitation and subsequent attacks from abroad reveal the true nature of his campaign: a calculated effort to malign a public servant from the safety of foreign shores, beyond the immediate reach of Nigerian law enforcement.

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‘’Under Dr Dennis Otuaro’s leadership, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has remained focused on its mandate of fostering sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta region. The Programme will not be distracted by spurious allegations from misguided and individuals pursuing personal vendettas.

‘’The Presidential Amnesty Programme reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law and will continue to pursue all legal remedies available to protect the integrity and reputation of the Administrator and the agency.”

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