…Council cites unauthorised land sales, alleged gratification receipts
…Chief barred from parading traditional titles pending probe outcome
…Traditional authorities warn against actions undermining council authority
The Oke Ona Egba Traditional Council has announced the indefinite suspension of High Chief Taofeek Lawal from his positions as Lukotun of Ilugun Town and Osi Balogun of Oke Ona Egba over allegations of misconduct and actions deemed contrary to established traditional authority.
The suspension, according to a statement issued by the council, follows a critical review of the chief’s activities over the past three years.
The council said the decision will remain in force pending the conclusion of an ongoing review by a designated committee.
In the suspension notice, the council listed several allegations against the chief, including his alleged involvement in the sale of large parcels of land at Kugba Ajagbe village without the consent of Ilugun Town authorities.
The council stated that the transaction reportedly resulted in a protracted dispute that drew the involvement of the Oke Ona Egba Traditional Council.
The council further alleged that the chief received gratifications from buyers of the disputed land purportedly on behalf of the Osile of Oke Ona Egba.
It maintained that such payments were neither authorised nor remitted to the royal institution.
Another allegation levelled against the suspended chief relates to his alleged role in the crisis currently affecting Ilugun Town.
The council claimed that land transactions valued at about N10 million were carried out, with the chief allegedly collecting N400,000 personally from the proceeds.
According to the council, several senior traditional leaders, including the Iyalode and Balogun, had intervened and appealed to the chief to allow peace to prevail.
However, the council alleged that instead of complying, he escalated the situation by making media appearances.
The statement also accused the chief of allegedly presenting himself as the Area Baale of Ilugun Town and Oba-elect of Orile Ilugun, including allegedly installing Baales and appearing in full royal regalia reserved for recognised monarchs.
The council further alleged that the chief was involved in the arrest of the Oluwo of Ilugun, Ifaseun Sorodayo, at the Osile Palace, where he allegedly claimed to be the Kabiyesi of Orile Ilugun to law enforcement authorities.
Additionally, the council accused him of acting as a consenting authority in the installation of some village Baales in Ilugun axis, a move it said created parallel traditional leadership structures in the area.
The Traditional Council described the alleged actions as reckless and a violation of the constituted authority and prescribed traditional structure of Oke Ona Egba.
As part of the suspension directive, the council warned the chief to immediately desist from parading himself as Lukotun of Ilugun Town, Osi Balogun of Oke Ona Egba, or Baale of Orile Ilugun.
The council emphasised that the suspension is intended to preserve peace, maintain traditional order, and protect the integrity of the Oke Ona Egba traditional institution pending the outcome of the investigative review.
The suspension letter was jointly endorsed by several high-ranking chiefs of Oke Ona Egba, including the Basorun, Balogun, Jaguna, Lisa, Oluwo, and other senior traditional office holders.
Council officials urged members of the public and stakeholders in Ilugun and surrounding communities to remain calm and cooperate with traditional authorities while the review process continues.
