The suspended Oba of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, is currently held at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State following his failure to meet bail conditions set by the court. The monarch, who is facing charges related to an assault, was arrested after a disturbing video surfaced online, showing him physically and verbally attacking a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola.
The video, which rapidly went viral, showed the elderly man being forced to kneel on the ground while Ogunjobi lashed out with insults and accusations. The monarch, who has a background in law enforcement, is seen boasting about his police connections and threatening to imprison Areola. In the video, one of Ogunjobi’s aides also struck the elderly man and ordered him to prostrate in front of the monarch.
Following the incident, the Ogun State Police Command swiftly took action, arraigning Oba Ogunjobi before a magistrate court. The charges against him include conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. The court granted him bail, but the monarch has been unable to perfect the conditions required for his release.
The prosecution claims that Ogunjobi unlawfully assaulted Areola by slapping him and forcing him to kneel in public. The assault was deemed a violation of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, which prohibit both physical assault and actions likely to disturb public peace.
The court has adjourned the case to March 6, 2025, for further hearings. In the meantime, Ogunjobi remains in custody, awaiting the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
The incident has drawn widespread outrage from citizens and civil society groups across the state. The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Ogun commended the state government for promptly suspending the monarch. They expressed hope that justice would be served through a thorough legal process.
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ogun State also issued a statement, commending both the government and the police for their swift actions. The PCRC has called for the arrest of the aide who physically assaulted the elderly man and reiterated its commitment to upholding human rights in the region.
As the case unfolds, many are watching closely to see if the legal system will hold the powerful monarch accountable for his actions.
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