Metro

Olubadan Crowns 116-year-old ‘Baale’ As 33 Others Elevated To Obaship Status

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2023

It was a historic sight to behold on Friday at the ancient Oja’ba Olubadan Palace, as a 116-year-old Baale of Abanla in Ido Local Government, was elevated to the Obaship status of Oba Tiamiyu Olubiyi Oladipupo, the Alaba of Abanla by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.

Thirty-three other community chiefs (Baales) were also elevated and crowned by the Olubadan.

The event, which marked the first in the history of the ancient city, attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, who converged on the venue to rejoice with the newly-elevated chiefs, which led to a traffic logjam.

The pomp and pageantry that greeted the ceremony could not be hidden, as relatives, friends and well-wishers of the crowned chiefs, thronged the venue in different traditional attires.

But the Otun Olubadan, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of the state, and a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, did not show up at the coronation, where other members of the traditional council were present.

Different traditional rites were observed during the event, among which were the paying of homage to the monarch and cultural display.

While speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Local and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Olusegun Olayiwola, said the Olubadan of Ibadan is crowning his Baales as Obas. It is not the government that is giving the Baales the crowns.

“The consenting authority today is the Olubadan and not the governor. I want to charge the newly elevated Baales on behalf of the governor to do good to their people. I thank all the people in Ibadanland,” he said.

In his remarks, the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun expressed gratitude to the governor for approving the ceremony.

Oba Balogun, whose address was read on his behalf by his younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun, said: “We are here today to fulfil the promise made last month when a similar exercise was held at the ancient Mapo Hall over there for my members of Advisory Council that some of our Baales in Ibadanland would be elevated and crowned as Royal Highnesses.”

“We are here today for the elevation and crowning of 34 of them from our various communities in our six local government councils of Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Ido and Oluyole. The list of the beneficiaries is in the programme of the event.”

“The palace is aware of contentions in the domains of a few of today’s beneficiaries of the elevation and attempts to stop their elevation by the aggrieved parties acknowledged.”

“But, we decided to go ahead with the elevation of the affected few alongside others because they are not being newly installed as Baales and should they be denied, it is the affected communities that would suffer the loss.”

“So, we considered it more appropriate to go ahead with the elevation as planned while the aggrieved parties continue with the process of how to ‘right’ the acclaimed ‘wrong’ in installing the affected Baales in the first instance and I want to publicly assure all that as soon as it is evidentially established that a wrong was actually committed in installing somebody as a Baale, such stands removed without any pressure.”

“As recalled during our last exercise, we have a unique system in our traditional set-up in Ibadan which continues to evolve, responding to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the agelong aphorism that the only thing that is permanent in life is change.”

“In our responses to the changes over the years, there had always been issues on forging consensuses as arguments for and against always ensue. Thankfully, the issue of some of our Baales wearing crowns has never been a subject of debate as there’s a consensus on it.”

“In short, whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through and there is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.”

“By today’s exercise, we have completely changed the face of Ibadan traditional system and we can now rub shoulders with other places in the comity of towns and cities.”

“It is gratifying to note that the public opinion on the first leg of the exercise has been that of applause and commendation and we are convinced and happy that by the elevation exercises, including the one we are doing today, we are meeting the yearnings and expectations of our people.”

“Once again, the determination of our governor in the state, Engr. Makinde, FNSE in ensuring the making of this history cannot be over-emphasized.”

“We cannot gloss over the boldness and political will of his predecessor, late Sen. Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who against all odds broke the jinx which had become a recurring decimal since the advent of the current democratic experience.”

“May his soul continue to peacefully rest. Whatever flaws noticed in the steps taken by the late former governor Ajimobi on the issue have been corrected by Engr. Makinde, giving us confidence that what we are doing has come to stay.”

“At this juncture, it needs be stressed that the liberalism being brought into the system should not be taken for granted. We all know that there’s hierarchy in our system and what we are doing does not give room for the traditional hierarchy to be eroded in any manner.”

“Honour must at all times be given to whom honour is due. I won’t go into repetition of the oath that will be administered on the new Obas after your crowning today, but, the oath must be your guide.”

“Your Excellencies, top government functionaries present, our invited Royal Fathers both from within and outside the state, my members of Advisory Council, eminent personalities, my good people of Ibadanland, gentlemen of the press, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for creating time to be part of another historic event in our traditional system in Ibadanland with some of our Baales receiving crowns as Obas with the appellation of Royal Highnesses,” he stated.
VANGUARD

Metro

Accountant Jailed 15 Years For Defrauding Oyo Job Applicants

Published

6 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

A serving accountant in the Oyo State Health Management Board, Wahab Olabanji, has been sentenced to a total jail term of 15 years following his conviction for fraudulently collecting various sums of money from unsuspecting victims with the promise of giving them employment.

Wahab, who until his trial was the Chief Executive Officer (Accounts) on Grade Level 14 at the state Hospital Management Board, was accused of collecting the money from applicants who applied for the last recruitments into the board and the state Teaching Service Commission.

The Chairman of Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency, Justice Eni Esan (retd.), disclosed this in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday.

She said Olabanji was convicted on a 30-count charge of official corruption, obtaining money under false pretence and conversion, to which he was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of N50,000 on each count of the charge.

Esan said, “The man was convicted on a 30-count charge of official corruption, obtaining money under false pretence and conversion. However, after a rigorous 17-month trial, the court delivered its judgement on Friday, August 1, 2025, in which the defendant was found guilty on all the 30 counts and he was sentenced to imprisonment for six months with an option of N50,000 fine on each count of the charge.

“The court also ordered the defendant to pay all sums fraudulently obtained from his victims within three months to remedy the wrong suffered by the victims due to the corrupt and fraudulent actions of the defendant.”

She reiterated OYACA’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption in the public service of the state.

Metro

Tragedy Adverted As Tanker With 50,000 Litres Of Diesel Skids Off Road In Oyo

Published

8 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

A tanker carrying 50,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil skidded off the road on Wednesday evening at Jin-Jofes Filling Station, Iwo Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Online on Thursday that the incident occurred around 8 pm as a result of brake failure while the driver was attempting to navigate a bend.

One of the eyewitnesses, Ajadi Oyekunle, said, “I was heading home when the incident happened. It could have been disastrous, but the immediate arrival of the state Fire Service averted an explosion.”

Another witness, Bisola Ogungbade, said, “It happened during rush hour when everyone was trying to get home. Thankfully, both the driver and the motor boy were rescued alive. The motor boy sustained a minor injury to his shoulder and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.”

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the report was received at exactly 20:07 hrs on Wednesday via a phone call from one Adisa Kazeem.

“Our officers, led by ACFS Adeniyi Adesina, were promptly deployed to the scene. On arrival, they found a DAF trailer tanker with registration number LAGOS: T17 657 LA, carrying 50,000 litres of AGO, had skidded off the road into a nearby gutter, and its contents were spilling.

“The firefighters quickly applied a chemical foam compound to blanket the spillage and neutralise the flammability of the content to prevent a possible fire outbreak.

“The driver and motor boy were rescued alive, though the latter sustained a minor shoulder injury and was taken to the nearest hospital. The situation has been brought under control, and normal activities have resumed on the road”, Akinwande added.

He also confirmed that operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from the Akobo Division and the Amotekun Corps were present to provide security during the operation.

The firefighters reportedly returned to the station around 4:12 am on Thursday.

Metro

Court Orders TSTV CEO To Pay ₦938m, $1.42m In Debt Case

Published

20 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has ordered Telcom Satellites Limited, and its Chief Executive Officer, Bright Echefu, to pay a former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), a total of ₦938 million and US$1.42 million, along with post-judgment interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum until the debt is fully cleared.

Justice Bello Kawu made the order on July 7, 2025, while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Turaki against the TSTV and its CEO.

A certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Wednesday by The PUNCH.

Turaki, the claimant in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/332/23, sued TSTV and Echefu, as the 1st and 2nd defendants respectively, over unpaid debts.

In a writ of summons supported by a 27-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Turaki, he stated that TSTV, a company duly incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, presented itself as an indigenous cable satellite television provider rendering media and telecommunication services to him.

He said the 1st defendant (TSTV) operated from its head office located at Plot 859, Idu Industrial Area, Idu in Abuja.

According to Turaki, the 2nd defendant, Echefu, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TSTV and its alter ego, personally obtained loans from him under false pretences.

Turaki said he became aware of the defendants in 2018 through a close friend and associate who had been approached by Echefu to convince him to invest in TSTV.

He noted that after about two months of due diligence and negotiations with Echefu, he declined the invitation to invest in TSTV as the terms presented were not acceptable to the 1st defendant.

He said that following the failed investment proposal, Echefu continued to mount pressure on him to invest in TSTV.

“Unrelenting in his efforts, the 2nd defendant wrote a letter conveying several propositions to me to come on board, including acquiring 35% of the shares of the 1st defendant and assuming its chairmanship,” he said.

According to Turaki, this proposal was made in a letter dated November 13, 2019.
He added that after persistent persuasion from Echefu and his collaborators, he agreed to serve as Chairman of TSTV and acquire 50% of its shares for the sum of ₦800 million.

He added that this decision was based on representations by Echefu that TSTV was a viable and profitable cable satellite company.

“The 1st defendant, as a result, deceived me into acquiring 50% of its shares for ₦800 million, even though the company was moribund,” Turaki stated.

He further said that after assuming the position of Chairman and investing in the company, Echefu again exerted pressure on him to assist in raising additional funds for TSTV’s operations.

Turaki said that under pressure from Echefu, he introduced him to Tudu Ventures Nigeria Limited, which lent the defendants the following sums: ₦1.2 billion, ₦800 million, US$1.6 million and US$500,000.

The defendants allegedly failed to repay the loans, prompting Tudu Ventures to file a separate suit (FCT/HC/CV/1588/21) to recover the funds. Partial judgment was entered against the defendants on November 22, 2022.

Turaki said he also personally granted loans to Echefu at his request, amounting to ₦138 million, US$1.35 million, and an additional US$70,000.

“The defendants, via a letter dated January 5, 2021, acknowledged receipt of $1.28 million and ₦138 million as part of the loans advanced to them,” the claimant said.

He added that the defendants later approached him again, stating that the $1.28 million was insufficient for its intended purpose and requested an additional $70,000, which he also provided, bringing the total loan to $1.35 million.

Turaki said Echefu once more approached him for a further loan of $70,000 to meet financial obligations, which was also granted.

“That the 2nd Defendant again approached me to advance a further loan of the sum of USS70,000, to enable them settle some financial exigencies, which was also advanced to the defendants”.

According to him, the defendants, through a payment proposal signed by Echefu for settling Tudu Ventures’ loans, his own loans, and the equity investment, agreed to repay $1.35 million, $70,000, and ₦138 million.

He added that Echefu’s Counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, (SAN), via a letter dated November 22, 2022 agreed to pay the sum of N200,000,000 on or before July 15, 2022, through the said counsel as a demonstration of the 2nd Defendant’s good faith and commitment to liquidating his Indebtedness to him which the 2nd Defendant failed to keep.

Turaki said he later instructed his lawyers, N.A. Saidu Legal Consult issued a demand letter to Echefu seeking repayment, but no response was received.

He emphasised that, given the efforts made and the lack of response from the defendants, it became clear to him that the defendants had no intention of repaying the loans which Echefu personally obtained and which are now overdue.

He, therefore, urged the court to compel the defendants to repay the outstanding loans with post-judgment interest of 10 per cent annually until the debt is fully liquidated.

In his judgment, Justice Kawu granted all the reliefs sought by Turaki.

He held, “An order of this Honourable Court directing the 1st and 2nd defendants, jointly and severally, to pay the claimant the sum of ₦138,000,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million Naira) being the total loan advanced, now due and unpaid.

“An order directing the 1st and 2nd defendants, jointly and severally, to pay the claimant the sum of US$1,350,000 (One Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand US Dollars) being the total loan advanced, now due and unpaid.

“An order directing the 1st and 2nd defendants, jointly and severally, to pay the claimant the sum of US$70,000 (Seventy Thousand US Dollars) being the total loan advanced, now due and unpaid.

“An order directing the 2nd defendant to pay the claimant the sum of ₦800,000,000 (Eight Hundred Million Naira) being the total sum paid for 50% equity in the 1st defendant, despite knowing the company was moribund.

“An order awarding post-judgment interest at 10 per cent per annum on the total judgment sum from the date of the judgment until full satisfaction of the debt, and such further orders as the court may deem fit.”
(PUNCH)