UPDATED: Police quiz Ogun monarch assaulting man in viral video
The Ogun State Police Command has interrogated the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, for assaulting one of his chiefs, Arinola Abraham.
Ogunjobi had sparked outrage after a viral video surfaced showing him verbally and physically assaulting Arinola.
In the two-minute clip, Arinola was seen kneeling on the road while a man, said to be Ogunjobi, cursed him and his family while accusing him of conspiracy.
The monarch, reportedly a retired police officer, also boasted of his influence over law enforcement agencies, threatening to jail the chief.
At one point, a man accompanying the traditional ruler slapped Arinola and ordered him to prostrate before the king.
The incident led to widespread condemnation.
In a post via his X handle on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuiywa Adejobi, disclosed that the monarch has been invite and interrogated over the issue.
Adejobi also stated that the Police Force cannot be controlled by any individual, stating that justice will be served.
He wrote, “The Oba has been invited and interrogated today by the command. The matter is being looked into for justice to prevail. Nobody can claim to be controlling the NPF. Justice must be served by all means. Thanks.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has placed the monarch on a six-month suspension for his uncivil conduct not befitting the status of an Oba.
The decision, according to a statement from the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, on Monday, was reached after Oba Ogunjobi and his victim, 73-year-old Areola Abraham, were invited by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, for interrogation.
Akinmade said, “This became imperative as a result of the reckless utterances and public misconduct of the Kabiyesi as it was evident in the social media and being bandied in the larger public space.
“After the investigation conducted on the matter, the Kabiyesi has been suspended and stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise on the allegation.
“The foregoing decision was reached by the ministry in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021.”
In a seperate statement, the Ogun State Police Command said that it has begun investigation into the alleged assault of the 73-year-old man by the monarch.
The state police command in a statement on Monday sent to journalists on Monday by its Spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, said that the essence of the investigation was to uphold the course of justice.
Odutola said that both parties, that is, the royal father and community leader had been at the state police command to state their respective sides of the story.
The statement reads, “The Ogun State Police Command has taken cognizance of a disturbing video circulating on social media, in which an elderly man, Mr. Areola Abraham was seen prostrating while being subjected to verbal abuse and assault by Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile Ifo.
“Given the gravity of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, has ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the matter, and further assures to adhere to the rule of law and fundamental human rights principles in the instant case.
“Both parties reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department Eleweran, and their statements were obtained
“The Ogun State Police Command unequivocally condemns any form of assault, harassment and violence regardless of the individuals involved.
“The command will ensure that justice is served and members of the public will be abreast of relevant updates in due course.”
