The Ogun State Government has pledged to probe a viral video allegedly showing the Oloorile of Orile Ifo in Ifo Local Government Area, Oba Semiu Ogunjobi, subjecting Chief Arinola Abraham to degrading treatment.
The two-minute footage, which has been widely circulated, captures Arinola kneeling on the road while a man, identified as Ogunjobi, hurls curses at him and his family, accusing him of conspiracy.
Reportedly a retired police officer, the monarch further boasted about his strong ties with law enforcement, threatening to have the chief jailed.
At one point, an individual accompanying the traditional ruler was seen slapping Arinola and ordering him to prostrate before the king.
Ogunjobi, speaking in Yoruba, declared, “You are a conspirator; it will never be well with you… your wife and children… whoever thinks he is bold enough should come out to face me… even if you die, we shall bury you, and nothing will happen….”
Following the video’s emergence, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, condemned the act, calling it “inappropriate and inhumane.”
In response to an inquiry from YEPS News, Akinmade stated, “This matter will be investigated, and if found to be true, necessary action will be taken.”
Similarly, the governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo, expressed disapproval in a Facebook post, stressing that such disputes should be handled in a more civil manner.
Ojo wrote, “I came across a disturbing video online showing Chief Arinola Abraham Love (JP) being subjected to public humiliation and physical assault.
“In the footage, he was seen kneeling on the road while being slapped and verbally abused by someone identified as Ọba Semiu Olawale Ogunjobi, the Oloorile of Orile Ifo.
“This incident is reportedly linked to a kingship supremacy dispute.
“The monarch allegedly took offense at Chief Arinola Abraham Love’s perceived support for a coronet Oba named Wasiu (as referenced in the video). In retaliation, he confronted the elderly man in his vicinity and subjected him to treatment unworthy of a traditional ruler.
“Such behavior is completely unacceptable and unjustifiable, regardless of the underlying grievances.
“There are more honorable and legal avenues to resolve disputes, especially among traditional leaders. Resorting to force, assault, and public disgrace must be outrightly condemned.”