Family petitions Gov over alleged presentation of Staff of Office to wrong person

The Osolo Abibiri Family in Akure has raised an alarm in a petition addressed to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu alleging that officials of the Ondo State government have wrongly presented a Staff of Office to High Chief Edward Adewole as the Osolo of Isolo in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.

In the petition by its attorney, Mr Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, the family described the presentation as a clear violation Of The Instrument Of Appointment Personally Signed by the governor on August 24, 2022.

The petition was addressed to the Governor and signed by the attorney on behalf of Engr. Olukayode Komolafe, Engr. Omotayo Oluwatuyi, High Chief (Arch.) Abiola Ogunjemilusi, Princess Adebusola Oluwatuyi, Princess Olayinka Dike, High Chief Oluwatimileyin Gbemisayo and Comrade Fagbayigbo Idowu, who are representing the Osolo Abibiri Family.

The family in the petition dated December 29, 2022, with Ref: FEE/ODS/GOV/I.77/22, said: “Contrary and in a serious affront to the said Instrument of Appointment, however, according to Our Clients (the family members), some officials of the State Government have surreptitiously compromised and fraudulently presented the Staff of Office meant for the Osolo of Isolo to one Edward Kolawole Adewole who claimed to have been appointed as High Chief Osolo (though not Osolo of Isolo) by the Deji of Akure, even though the Deji has no lot nor part under the Native Law and Custom in appointing Osolo of Isolo, and no Deji had ever meddled in the appointment of any of the past Osolo of Isolo Community.

“According to Our Clients, the Osolo of Isolo is appointed under the Native Law and Custom of the Isolo Community by Kingmakers and approved by the Isolo Council of Chiefs. Seventeen (17) Obas had reigned as the Osolo of Isolo before the incumbent Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V, the Osolo of Isolo) was appointed in 2018; none of the 17 previous Obas was appointed by the Deji of Akure.

“Following the passing of the last Osolo of Isolo in 2013, Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi, the Kingmakers and elders of the Isolo Community unanimously approved Princess Adebusola Abisoye Oluwatuyi as the Regent of Isolo. It was the same Regent that formally handed over the throne to the current Osolo of Isolo, Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V) on 21st April 2018 following his appointment and installation.

“Consequently, Ondo State Government officials, particularly those in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are fully aware of the history and circumstances surrounding the cultural aberration known as “High Chief Osolo”, according to Our Clients.

“Our Clients were however shocked that the same government officials have now fraudulently presented or masterminded the presentation of the Staff of Office for “Osolo of Isolo” as expressly stated in Annexure 1 (the Instrument of Appointment personally signed by Mr Governor) to the purported “High Chief Osolo” that was created by the Deji of Akure as a conduit to the milk and honey flowing in Isolo Community land.

“On the premise of the above facts, Our Clients are appealing to Your Excellency to take the following steps:

Direct an immediate investigation into the activities of the government officials assigned to enforce and/or effect the Instrument of Recognition/Appointment of “Osolo of Isolo” as a Recognized Chief, which was personally signed by Mr Governor on 24th August 2022 (Annexure 1), in order to find out the motive and/or incentive behind the sabotage of same;

“Direct appropriate sanctions to be taken against any erring public officials found culpable upon the conclusion of the investigation; and

Immediately direct that the Staff of Office fraudulently presented to the purported “High Chief Osolo” be withdrawn and presented to the “Osolo of Isolo” in line with the Instrument of Appointment.”