Osun Chief Sacked Over Alleged Gross Misconduct, To Return N1.6m

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Chief Sunday Abimbola Akinwale , Baale Eko-Ajala, in Ifelodun North Area Council, Osun State, has been sacked over alleged gross misconduct.

Akinwale was found guilty of an allegation levelled against him that he was receiving double salaries as the Baale of Eko-Ajala as well as a civil servant of the local government.

The decision was taken following his refusal to respond in defence of those allegations slammed against him.

His sack was contained in a letter signed on 27, May , 2020 by the Prescribed Traditonal Authority of the area, the Eleko of Eke-Ende, His Royal Highness, Abdul Rauf Adebayo Olaniyan Ajiboye.

Consequently, Alfa Soliu Oluwagbenga Abimbola Olayemi of Olumorin Compound, was immediately installed as the new Baale of Eko-Ajala by Oba Ajiboye .

In a letter sighted by our Correspondent in Osogbo, the ousted traditional Chief was accused in a petition written by one Hon Prince Ibrahim A. Aroyehun and Prince Ademola Abioye to the office of Auditor General for Local Government of financial misconduct and collecting double salaries from the purse of the state government

Signed by O.O Olaniyi (Mrs) Director Traditional and Special Account for Auditor General for local governments, Osun State, which was addressed to The Chairman, Ifelodun North Area Council, Iba, the unseated Chief Akinwale was found wanting of collecting double salaries from the purse of the state having failed to respond to the allegation at the stipulated time.

According to the report, Chief Akinwale as at the time of his appointment as traditional chief in November, 2016 he was still a full time staff of Ifelodun Area Council as Principal Work Superitendent GL 12 in the works Department of the local government.

The offence according to the report contravened Public Regulation in the State of Osun( Section (3) Misconduct) Rule 03030316(q) which prohibit a Civil Servant from accepting a Chieftaincy title or collecting salary while still in service without resigning from Government Service.

” As a result of the allegation , a letter was written to Chief Sunday Abimbola Akinwale to explain why discplinary action should not be taken against him for an act of gross misconduct punishable under the Public Service Rule within seven days of receiving the letter. He has not responded to the letter to date of issurrance of this report. He refused to response to the Auditor General for Local Government Directive.

The office of Auditor General had however in a letter written to the Chairman, Ifelodun North Area Council, Iba dated January 23, 2020 demanded for the evidences of the attendance and performance of the sacked Chief that would justify payment of his salary to him between the period of November, 2016 to May 2019.

The response of the Council Manager, Pharm Aruna Ojo Rasaki on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the area Council was that” From the record available, Mr Sunday Abimbola Akinwale collected Salary from the area Council till May 2017 while the record of attendance available stated that from 1st of October , 2017 to 24 June 2019, he did not come to the office.

It was also stated that the local government Service Commission officially approved the withdrawal of his service on 24 June 2019. All these testify to the fact that he collected double salary between November 2016 to May 2019″ the report stated

“Considering that Chief S. Abimbola resigned voluntarily from the service by May 2019 he has to refund the overpayment of #1,636,386.48 been total amount of salary received as staff of the Local Government between November 2016 and May 2019, immidiatly. Moreover,he should explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for engaging two full time appointments with the local government, and received two full salaries between November 2016 to November 2029.

Following the report of an audit to the petition received by the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments which indicted the Chief Akinwale for fraudulently holding two salaried appoiappointment, Oba Ajiboye , the Eleko of Eko-Ende who is also the prescribed traditional authority of the area removed him saying his indictment as such renders him unfit to continue to hold the exalted office of Baale of Eko Ajala.

Oba Ajiboye said ” As exercise of my power as the Prescribed Authority over the Baale of Eko-Ajala Chieftaincy, I hereby remove you as Baale of Eko-Ajala and you are directed to vacate the Palace of Baale of Eko Ajala forthwith.”

Installing new Baale on Thursday, the Eleko of Eko-Ende said Alfa Soliu Olayemi was installed following his
sterling performance in the screening exercise conducted by the
Kingmakers of Eko-Ajala for the selection of a new Baale Ajala after the death of Baale Ademo Adegboye sometimes in 2016.

He said : “I hereby approve your appointment as the new Baale of Eko Ajala with effect from 25th May, 2020.
You are expected to use your new appointment as Baale of Eko-Ajala to further cement the cordial relationship existing between Eko-Ende and Eko-Ajala communities and to strive at all
time to work for the development of the two communities and their people.”

The new Baale of Eko Ajala who came to the palace of Eleko of Eko-Ende with hundreds of his people where the installation ceremony took place with total observation of Social distancing Directives of the Government due to covid-19 promised to toe the path of his forefathers so as to ensure that the peaceful coexistence between the sleepy Communities remained untampered.