Osun Monarch Suspended Over Alleged Rape Of 14-year-old Girl

The Aketewi of Iketewi in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Olusiji Ogungbemi has been suspended from the activities of Ijesa North Traditional Council and Obokun Chieftaincy Committee.

The Ijesa North Traditional Council announced the Suspension of Oba Ogungbemi at an emergency meeting held on Sunday (today) 17th of May at the palace of Elegboro of Ijebujesa, HRM Oba (Engr.) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye.

It would be recalled that Oba Ogungbemi was accused alongside his son Gbenga and one Sarafa of defiling a 14-year-old girl in Ilare Ijesa.

The accused monarch had since on Thursday remanded in police custody.

The Aketewi of Iketewi, with the other two defendants were on Thursday arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara of an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court.

Police prosecutor, ASP John Idoko, alleged that the defendant sexually exploited the 14-year-old girl and impregnated her in the process.

He alleged that they conspired amongst themselves to commit a felony to wit rape and sexual exploitation.

The prosecutor also told the court that the trio committed the offence on May 5, 2020, at Ilare-Ijesha.

The defendants, who were arraigned on three-count charge bothering on conspiracy, rape and sexual exploitation, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Defence counsel to the monarch and his son, Mrs Yinka Popoola, and that of the third defendant, Tunbosun Oladipupo, while applying for bail, urged the court to admit their clients to bail in most liberal terms, assuring the court that they would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Dr Ayilara, ordered that the accused person be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case till May 18, 2020, for ruling on the application.

However, at an emergency meeting held at the palace of their president, the Elegboro of Ijebujesa, the monarchs agreed that: “That His Royal Highness Oba Olusiji Ogungbemi, The Aketewi of Iketewi in Obokun Local Government Area be suspended with immediate effect from all activities of Ijesa North Traditional Council and Obokun Chieftaincy Committee pending the decision of the court.

“The Council will like to inform the public that it was an error and misinformation for some media to have mentioned Oba Adejoro Otebolaku, The Owalare of Ilare as the culprit in the case. Oba Owalare of Ilare was never involved.

“The picture in the social media that showed Alahun of Ilahun as the offender mentioned above is not correct. The offender has been no other person than the Aketewi of Iketewi and not the Alahun of Ilahun nor Owalare of Ilare.