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Deposed Osun monarch, Aree of Iree, Oba Raphael Oluponle has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the Oṣun State Commissioner of Police and other law enforcement agencies to intervene and prevent violence, breach of public peace and contempt of court.
Oba Oluponle’s plea is coming following steps taken by Boripe North local council development authority to start the selection process for a new monarch of Iree town.
The process is coming after a government White Paper released on January 19, 2024, nullified the selection process
recalls that a government White Paper in January, 2024, had nullified all previous steps taken in relation to the installation of Aree of Iree.
According to the White Paper, “all inclusive selection process (es) for a new Aree of Iree, respectively, should commence immediately.
“Specifically on Aree of Iree Chieftaincy, the substantive chiefs are enjoined to withdraw their suit before the Court so as to allow for commencement of the selection process denovo in line with due process and tradition.”
In a letter by his counsel, Muideen Adeoye to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, dated February 24, 2024, Oba Oluponle informed the police that some individuals were initiating process of new selection of Aree of Iree land, which is criminal and likely to breach public peace and order as a result of pending case in court in respect of the subject matter.
He said such a move was an insult to the judiciary, rule of law and gross violation of the state government’s White Paper.
He said, “Up till date, the custodian of Aree of Iree instrument of appointment is Ọba Raphael Oluponle and up till date, no court of law has voided its issuance to the monarch by the government.
And interestingly, the said White Paper has never directed the withdrawal of the instrument of appointment from the monarch, while the pending suit No HIK/39/2022 – Chief Olufemi Afolabi and four ors. Vs Governor of Oṣun and five others, has not been withdrawn till this moment of writing the petition.
“Surprisingly, in February 2024, some officers of this local government and others, including Hon Jamiu Adedokun Tunde, the local government Chairman, Hon Bamigbola Jide, the Secretary and Hon Dosu Babatunde, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs among others suddenly commenced another process to install a new monarch in Iree, notwithstanding the pendency of the suit and without the withdrawal of instrument of appointment issued to the monarch by the same government.
“This action violates Section 21 (2) of the chiefs law of Osun State Cap 25, 2002., section 249 (D) of the criminal code act., section 518(1,6 and 7) of criminal code act., which states that any attempt to impunge on the authority of a custodian of instrument of appointment is criminal and liable to imprisonment and the same section empowers the security agencies to do the needful to prevent anarchy in the town.