The Ogun State Government has vowed to investigate a viral video showing the Oloorile of Orile Ifo in Ifo Local Government Area, Oba Semiu Ogunjobi, allegedly subjecting Chief Arinola Abraham to dehumanising treatment.
In the two-minute clip, Arinola was seen kneeling on the road while a man, said to be Ogunjobi, cursed him and his family while accusing him of conspiracy.
The monarch, reportedly a retired police officer, also boasted of his influence over law enforcement agencies, threatening to jail the chief.
At one point, a man accompanying the traditional ruler slapped Arinola and ordered him to prostrate before the king.
Ogunjobi, who spoke in Yoruba, said “You are a conspirator, it will never be well with you… your wife and children… whoever thinks he is courageous enough should come out to face me…even if you die, we shall bury you and nothing will happen….”
Reacting to the video, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described the act as “inappropriate and inhumane.”
In a response to inquiry, Akinmade said, “This will be investigated, and if proven to be true, necessary action will be taken.”
Similarly, the governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo, condemned the incident in a Facebook post, stating that such matters should be handled in a more civilised manner.
Ojo wrote, “I came across a disturbing video online showing Chief Arinola Abraham Love (JP) being subjected to public humiliation and physical assault.
confronted the elderly man in his area and treated him in a manner unbefitting of a traditional ruler.
“Such an act is highly condemnable and completely unjustifiable, regardless of the underlying issues. There are more dignified and lawful ways to address disputes, especially among traditional leaders. Resorting to force, assault, and public humiliation is unacceptable and must be strongly denounced.”
In an interview , the elderly man emphasised that he still had not been told what his offence was and pleaded for Nigerians to come to his aid.
“I was the one being harassed in the video. The Oba of Olorile of Orile-Ifo is the one who assaulted me. It happened on January 21, 2025, around 11:00 AM. I wasn’t feeling well, so I went out to get some food when he saw me. He called me over, and that’s when the beating started.
“I didn’t offend him in any way. If you watch the video, you’ll hear me begging him to tell me what my offence was. I told him that if I had wronged him, he should have called for me. I still don’t know what my offence is.”
When asked about the steps he had taken after the alleged assault, he said, “I couldn’t do anything since he claimed to own the Nigeria Police Force and dared me to go to any authority I know. What could I do?
“I want Nigerians to come to my aid. He has vowed to kill me.”
However, in a phone conversation , the monarch denied the accusation, expressing frustration over the numerous petitions he had received from all sides regarding the incident.
“I’m not familiar with the video you’re referring to. I’ve been receiving numerous calls for the past three weeks regarding it.
“They’ve also submitted petitions to various authorities, including Alagbon, the Zone 2 Command, and the state governor. A newspaper has published a statement confirming that I am not the person in the video,” the monarch insisted.
Punch
