Ekiti State Government has suspended a traditional Chief in Imesi Ekiti, Ayekire Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, Chief Gabriel Bodunde for alleged disrespect, high-handedness and insubordination to the town’s monarch, Oba Olatunji Olatunde.
To this end, the government warned the Chief against parading himself as Olokun (rmr) of Imesi Ekiti, pending the time the suspension would be halted.
The Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, handed down the pronouncement , while presiding over a petition forwarded to her office by Onimesi-in-Council in Ado Ekiti.
Chief Afuye said that any defiant position to the order would attract arrest and immediate prosecution.
The Deputy Governor also warned other chiefs, who alligned with the suspended Chief to rescind their actions and retrace their steps, or suffer similar disciplinary action.
Chief Afuye noted that the Government of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was desirous of peace in every town and as well holds all the traditional rulers in Ekiti high esteem, saying that nobody would be allowed to desecrate their seats under any guise.
The suspended Chief, was accused of fueling communal crisis in Imesi Ekiti through unlawful and arbitrary arrest of subjects thereby igniting unnecessary tension.
Chief Bodunde also shunned summon served on him by the the Ekiti State Government by not appearing at the meeting or send any delegation to represent him.
In a petition dated 14th July, 2023, and signed by Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde, the monarch accused Chief Bodunde of disrespecting and insubordinating to the Onimesi-in-council, by not attending any statutory meeting and working at cross purposes to their directives.
The monarch also alleged the Chief of arbitrarily arresting the youths over unfounded allegations, while threatening the traditional council members with similar action should they take any punitive action against him.
Appreciating the government for the swift action, the Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde, said the verdict was a loud confirmation to Governor Oyebanji’s government love for unity and peace across all towns in the state.
Oba Olatunde expressed regret that several efforts made to seek peace with Chief Bodunde were rebuffed, lamenting further that the embattled Chief’s disobedience to government’s invitation, was an height of arrogance.
