By Julius Alabi
(Akure)
Hundreds of indigenes of Akobo Community in Akure South Local Government area of Ondo state on Tuesday protested the alleged high-handedness of their traditional head, Festus Adeniyi Balogun, the Olu of Akobo.
They said the monarch has been selling the community’s land without due process.
The protesters who marched from the community as early as 7 a.m. to the Erekesan palace of the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, called for the removal of the Traditional head, Olu Adeniyi Balogun, who they alleged was an ex-convict.
Akobo Community is under the jurisdiction of Deji of Akure. The selection and installation of Olu of Akobo is only done by the Deji of Akure land.
The protesters, comprising men, women, youths and the aged also alleged that the unlawful detention of indigenes by the community head is becoming a daily affair.
The placards had inscriptions on them such as, “Olu Akobo Must Go!. You convert Community property to your own!. Olu Akobo must go, he is a disgrace to our community!. Olu Akobo is an ex–convict and a prisoner!”,
They handed over to those around an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court judgment dated July 26, 2013. which convicted him of all three counts of fraud, stealing and converting some sums of money belonging to the Odopetu family of Igoba to his personal use.
A spokesman of the Community at the Deji’s palace, Mr Sunday Samuel Ayelabola, described the monarch as “greedy, selfish and money-conscious.”
He said Akobo lands sold by the monarch were meant for community projects.
Also speaking, a woman leader, the Yeye Lobinrin of Akobo, Chief (Mrs) Folake George, said the monarch had been victimising their children and husbands and also using the proceeds from the illegal sales of Akobo community lands to entice their women.
Chief Omolare of Akure who received the protesters on behalf of the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo said the Deji could not see them as he is observing a 7-day traditional sit at home holiday. He said the Deji had earlier received their petition.
The Omolare therefore appealed to them to be law-abiding and to keep the peace until the Deji treats their matter.
All attempts to speak with the embattled Olu of Akobo, Festus Adeniyi Balogun proved abortive as he was said to be attending a meeting.