The Ogun State Government has suspended the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, for six months following an assault on a man that went viral on social media. The suspension was announced on Monday after the monarch and his victim, 73-year-old Areola Abraham, were questioned by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat.
A statement from Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, explained that the suspension came after an investigation into the reckless behavior and public misconduct displayed by Oba Ogunjobi. The investigation included reviewing the viral video and public reactions to the incident.
Akinmade confirmed that the suspension would remain in effect while the allegations against the monarch are further investigated. The decision was made in collaboration with the Egba Traditional Council, in accordance with the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021, Section 52(1).
Meanwhile, the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, calling for the arrest and prosecution of Oba Ogunjobi. CDHR National Vice President Yinka Folarin accused the monarch of repeatedly using his influence as a former police officer and associating with thugs to intimidate the public.
Folarin detailed the incident captured in the viral video, where Oba Ogunjobi was seen assaulting Elder Areola Abraham, a 73-year-old resident of Ifo, on January 21, 2025. Abraham described how he was slapped multiple times, kicked, and forced to kneel and prostrate by Ogunjobi and his associates. The elderly man, who was on his way to buy food, claimed that his pleas for mercy were ignored during the assault.
Folarin emphasized that the video and victim testimony clearly show that the monarch’s actions were not only violent but also demeaning, reflecting his history of alleged thuggery. The CDHR has called for Ogunjobi’s immediate arrest to ensure accountability, regardless of his status.
Additionally, the CDHR has urged the Ogun State Governor to act swiftly and remove Oba Ogunjobi from office within 72 hours, citing his disrespect for the traditional institution and his failure to uphold its dignity.
In an emotional statement, Elder Areola Abraham expressed his fear and trauma following the attack. He claimed that the monarch threatened his life, stating that nothing would happen to him due to his connections with the police. Abraham voiced his concerns for his safety, appealing to the Nigerian government for protection from further harm.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning Oba Ogunjobi’s actions, as the viral video of the assault continues to fuel public outcry.
