'If You parade Yourself As Oba Without Government Approval, You Will Go To Jail In Ogun'

Ogun state government has vowed to deal ruthlessly with anyone parading himself as monarch illegally without the government approval.

 

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Hon. Afolabi Afuape disclosed this on Friday in a press release.

 

Afuape who condemned the high spate of some individuals unilaterally declaring themselves as monarchs without the state government approvals said the present administration would not allow the unwholesome development to desecrate the sacred institution of Kingship and lawlessness with the attendant compromise of the security of lives and property.

 

The commissioner said no one could be made a monarch without the consent of the government in any society, adding that in Ogun State the selection and coronation of a Monarch were always published in the Official Gazette of the State government, and any monarch whose appointment has not been published in the Gazette is an ‘illegal Oba’ and an impostor.

 

The Commissioner stated that an illegal Monarch risks prosecution in a competent Court of Law as provided in section 23 sub-section 2 (a-d) of the Obas and Chiefs, Council of Obas, and Traditional Council Laws of the State. 

 

He enjoined members of the public to report any individual found parading himself illegally as an Oba to the nearest Police station and the Ministry for necessary profiling and prosecution as appropriate to serve as a deterrent to other impostors.