Obaship Tussle: Retired Ondo PS Denies Allegations Of Terrorising Community

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Prince Ade Okiki, a retired Permanent Secretary in Ondo State has denied the allegations of terrorising and disturbing peace of Imoru community over the vacant stool of Olumoru of Imoru, in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

Imoru community Obaship stool has been vacant for over eight years.

Prince Okiki, one of the contenders for the vacant stool disclosed this at the weekend in a press release made available to CityMirrorNews in Akure.

According to him, there has been tension in the community as a result of the action of one of the contenders to the vacant stool, who had wanted to hijack the selection process for his selfish interest.

The retired Permanent Secretary in the state made it cleared that he had in no form or means disturbed, terrorise or harass any member or person in Imoru community or environs as claimed by one of the contenders to the stool.

He posited that following the allegations, he had been invited by the police at Owo following complaints in some quarters that the peace of the community was under threat, while he explained his stand.

Okiki noted that he was embarrassed over some publications that he was remanded in prison on the order of a magistrate court, saying it was a total fabrication to malign his personality.

He said, ” I have never been remanded in prison on the order of a magistrate court, it was a fabrication from Rotimi Obamuwagun and Famakinwa, who are opponent, insisting going to court with a view to scandalise my reputation”.

Appointment of a substantive monarch for the community has not been possible, due to legal hurdles initiated by some of the kingmakers family members, who were robbed and replaced by warrant chiefs.

He also appealed to the police Area Commander at Owo, to send a team of officers to the community with view to investigate the allegations and establish the truth in the matter.

Adding that “If the trademark of an Oba is to tell lies, how can such a town make progress? The police have conducted their investigation and confirmed that no charm was buried in Rotimi Obamuwagun premises by Prince Ade Okiki and other allegations faulted too, Imoru town has been peaceful and will continue to be peaceful”.

He however appealed to the natives and residents of Imoru community to continue go about their normal businesses and assured that the Obaship tussle would soon be resolved amicably.