Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, right, and his victim

*Oba Ogunjobi fails to meet 10million bail, remanded in Ilaro prison

The 73- year old man, Evangelist Areola Love Abraham was recently slapped and cursed by the Olorile of Orile Ifo Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi. For this, the monarch was suspended by Ogun State government. However, the victim has revealed to TheNEWS why the monarch subjected him to public disgrace.

Evangelist Areola who is presumed to be a chief or king maker revealed to TheNEWS reporter that the monarch accused him of being manipulative. How?  The king said people had told him a lot about the victim and he asked what they said but the monarch kept slapping and raining curses on him.

It was a bit difficult to locate Baba Agent’s house as he is fondly called. But when our correspondent showed his picture to people, they were able to recognize him with the incident and immediately directed a bike to help locate his house. On getting there, there was no one at home but Baba’s shop was widely opened as if he did not go far.

On Knocking on his door, no one answered. The reporter then picked two numbers from the agent’s flex banner. One was switched but a woman responded on the second. She directed the reporter to Oluaye block industry that Baba “is usually there to relax.” On getting there, he had not been there that day. The reported went back to Baba’s shop to wait for his arrival.

About 10 minutes after, Baba Agent arrived with a nursing mother who appeared to be his daughter. When our correspondent asked for an interview, he said he could only oblige in the presence of his lawyer. When he called his lawyer, he said the old man should oblige TheNEWS.

He said “I was on my way to get food on the 21st of January afternoon when a car packed beside me. An occupant commanded me to come over then I turned back to see who it was. Then I saw that it was Kabiyesi and I greeted him. Immediately a slap landed on my face!

Then he came out and started saying all sort of things to me that I was taking sides with Oluaye and that I was a traitor.

As I asked what my offence was, his driver landed me anothera slap. It was his driver who was in the video that slapped me from the back and kicked me too.

This Oluaye that Ogunjobi accused me of using to betray him is also his family member but also an Oba at Oke Oko in Ifo. When I was sick last year there was no one to help me, I sold my house at Abule Egba in Lagos and my car to treat myself. I am still not balanced.

Every time I need help it is the same Oluaye that used to help me. I am not a chief in the community but Oluaye shows me love and respect. When I have nothing to feed on, Oluaye gives me food. Besides Kabiyesi accused me of not coming to his palace whicj is over 14 electricity poles while Oluaye’s is just two poles away from my house. How on earth will I leave my house to his palace?

I am a poor old man who has no one to help him, but the only person I see is Oluaye.”

While the interview was on, about 10 people came in.

After the interview with Baba Agent, three persons in the community accused the monarch of being a bully.

Before anyone could talk, they called the Baale to speak but refused to come because of fear that he might also be attacked by the monarch’s boys.

Another person who had also had an encounter with the monarch also refused to come because of fear.

Abiola a youth in the community accused the monarch of beating him and his friends seven years ago over their land which he eventually seized. When they went to Ifo Police station to report him , nothing happened.

Also, the Iyalode accused Ogunjobi of demolishing a land she bought for the daughter of her friend’s husband who wanted to build a company to employ youths in the community.

Meanwhile, there were lots of persuasions before Iyalode could eventually talk to our correspondent but did not want her name mentioned.

Others who spoke anonymously said since the monarch ascended the throne, there’s been no peace or rest of mind among residents. It’s always one trouble or the other. They have been living in fear.

After interviews at Baba Agent house, our reporter proceeded to the palace to see the situation of things. Outside the building in the compound were lots of men and domestic workers looking like they lost someone who would be buried by 4pm!

A man in his late 50s responded that they were not responding to anything. There was no room for any interview from any newsmen for now.

The monarch was however docked at a Magistrate court in Ifo Local government by Police headquarters in Ogun on Tuesday morning where he was granted bail of #10 million with two sureties living within the area.

Meanwhile, the suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi was on Tuesday remanded in a correctional centre at Ilaro, Ogun State after failing to meet his bail condition as granted by the Ifo Magistrate Court.

The Spokesman of the Correctional centres in the state, Yinka Odukoya confirmed this to our Correspondent on Tuesday.

Odukoya said, “Yes, he is in our custody and this definitely means that he was unable to perfect the bail conditions as granted by the court yesterday but as soon as he is able to do that he will be allowed to go”.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector O. Awoleke in a charge sheet with number MH2b8c/2025 Commissioner of Police vs Abdul-Semiu, said the accused person was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy; assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The charge reads thus, “That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large on the 21st of January,2025 at about 1100hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo Magisterial District did conspire together to commit misdemeanour to wit: Assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code of Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria,2006.

“That you Abdul Semiu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on his face and ear and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State of Nigeria,2006.

“That you Abdul Semiu ‘m’ and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by forcing one Areola Abraham ‘m’ to kneel and assaulted him in the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria,2006.”

The accused person who appeared before Magistrate F.A Iroko pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

The Magistrate granted the accused person a bail with two sureties in N5m each in like sum who must be residents within the court jurisdiction.

The matter was adjourned till March 6 for a hearing.