Thelma Osatohanmwen
A Chief Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has sentenced the Osolo of Ado-Odo, Muftau Dosunmu, to six months in prison for impersonating an Oba.
It was alleged that Dosunmu faced charges of presenting himself as a traditional ruler, despite the reversal of his Oba status by the Dapo Abiodun administration.
The Osolo title, initially a high chief in Ado-Odo, was upgraded to a coronet Oba by the past administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun. However, the current government reversed the upgrade of 75 Obas, leading to legal battles and a government directive for them to refrain from acting as traditional rulers.
Dosunmu was charged with alleged impersonation and disturbance of peace within the Ado-Odo magisterial district. He was accused of parading as an Oba, installing a Babaloja without approval, and announcing movement restrictions for spiritual rites. The charges included violations of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State and the Criminal Code Law.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate E. O. Idowu found Dosunmu guilty on six counts, sentencing him to one month on each count with an option of a fine of N50,000 on each. The sentences are to run consecutively.
Dosunmu claimed persecution, attributing it to his involvement in the installation of the next Olofin of Ado-Odo. He stated that despite a High Court judgment clearing the 75 Obas, he faced opposition from certain individuals in the town.
The court decision reportedly caused unrest in the Ado-Odo community. Dosunmu, vowing to appeal the judgment, expressed concern over external interference in selecting the new Olofin and criticized the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs and Yewa Traditional Council for potentially installing unqualified individuals as kingmakers.
This legal development echoes a historical context, as the late Olofin of Ado-Odo, Adeniran, faced a similar situation in 2013, leading to an attack by angry youths. Dosunmu returned to Ado-Odo in December 2020 after years in exile.
