The Ogun State chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) is calling for the removal of Oloorile of Orile Ifo, Oba Olawale Ogunjobi, following allegations of assault on a 73-year-old chief, Arinola Abraham.
NANS, through its Ogun JCC Chairman, Abiola Francis, condemned the alleged assault, describing it as a shameful act that undermines the dignity of the victim.
Francis also described the actions depicted in the video as abhorrent to the values and cultures of the Yoruba people.
He noted that such action demonstrated the attributes of tyranny from someone who was expected to be a custodian of peace, justice and refuge for his subjects.
Francis said in part, “In the video, the over 70-year-old Arinola was forced to kneel on the road, verbally assaulted, physically attacked and rained curses on him.
“This disgraceful and distasteful act carried out under the supervision of a traditional ruler is not only unlawful but also a shameful betrayal of the human dignity and values that Yoruba traditional leadership should represent.
“Traditional rulers are meant to be custodians of peace, justice, and moral uprightness, not instruments of oppression and hooliganism. The monarchy should be a refuge for the people, not a force of intimidation and cruelty.
“We call on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately arrest and prosecute Oba Semiu Olawale Ogunjobi and all those involved in this dehumanizing act.
No one, regardless of status, should be above the law.
“We also implore the Ẹ̀gbá Traditional Council to take decisive action by stripping Oba Ogunjobi of his position/membership in the revered Egba Traditional Council.
“A traditional ruler who openly disgraces the stool he occupies has no moral justification to continue as a leader of the people. To this end, we request his sack by the Ogun state government to nip tyranny in the bud in our state.”
