The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been arraigned before the Ifo Magistrate Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The arraignment, which took place on Tuesday, followed a viral video showing the monarch allegedly assaulting, verbally abusing, and threatening to kill an elderly man, Mr Areola Abraham. This development comes after the Ogun State Government suspended him over his alleged unruly behaviour.

Ogunjobi, a retired police officer, sparked outrage when the footage surfaced, depicting him physically and verbally attacking one of his chiefs, Arinola Abraham. In the two-minute clip, Abraham was seen kneeling on the road while a man, identified as Ogunjobi, hurled curses at him and his family, accusing him of conspiracy. The monarch also boasted about his influence over law enforcement agencies, threatening to have the chief imprisoned.

The Ogun State Government subsequently suspended Ogunjobi for six months, citing his conduct as unbefitting of a traditional ruler. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiu Hamzat, stated that the decision was taken to uphold the dignity of individuals and protect the sanctity of the revered traditional institution.

According to Hamzat, both Ogunjobi and his victim were invited for questioning at the ministry before the government reached its decision. “Following the investigation into the matter, Oba Ogunjobi has been suspended. He has been stripped of the paraphernalia of the Olorile of Orile-Ifo stool pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise,” the commissioner said.

The decision, he added, was taken in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council and in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021.

Ogunjobi has, however, been granted bail, and the case has been adjourned to 6 March for further hearing.