The Osolo Abibiri Family of Isolo Community in Akure, has raised the alarm through a petition addressed to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu that officials of the Ondo State government have wrongly and fraudulently presented a Staff of Office to one High Chief Edward Adewole as against Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu recognized as THE OSOLO OF OSOLO
According to the family through its Lawyer, Mr Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, this is a clear violation Of The Instrument Of Appointment Personally Signed by the Governor On 24th August, 2022.
This is contained in a petition to the Governor and signed by the lawyer on behalf of Engr. Olukayode Komolafe, Engr. Omotayo Oluwatuyi, High Chief (Arch.) Abiola Ogunjemilusi, Princess Adebusola Oluwatuyi, Princess Olayinka Dike, High Chief Oluwatimileyin Gbemisayo and Comrade Fagbayigbo Idowu, who said to be representing Osolo Abibiri Family.
In the petition dated 29th December, 2022, the family said, “Contrary -and in serious affront- to the said Instrument of Appointment however, according to Our Clients (the family members), some officials of the State Government have surreptitiously compromised and fraudulently presented the Staff of Office meant for the Osolo of Isolo to one Edward Kolawole Adewole who claimed to have been appointed as High Chief Osolo (though not Osolo of Isolo) by the Deji of Akure, even though the Deji has no lot nor part under the Native Law and Custom in appointing Osolo of Isolo, and no Deji had ever meddled in the appointment of any of the past Osolo of Isolo Community.
“According to Our Clients, the Osolo of Isolo is appointed under the Native Law and Custom of Isolo Community by Kingmakers and approved by Isolo Council of Chiefs. Seventeen (17) Obas had reigned as the Osolo of Isolo before the incumbent Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V, the Osolo of Isolo) was appointed in 2018; none of the 17 previous Obas was appointed by the Deji of Akure.
“Following the passing of the last Osolo of Isolo in 2013, Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi, the Kingmakers and elders of Isolo Community unanimously approved Princess Adebusola Abisoye Oluwatuyi as the Regent of Isolo. It was the same Regent that formally handed over the throne to the current Osolo of Isolo, Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V) on 21st April, 2018 following his appointment and installation.
“Consequently, Ondo State Government officials, particularly those in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are fully aware of the history and circumstances surrounding the cultural aberration known as “High Chief Osolo”, according to Our Clients.
“Our Clients were however shocked that the same government officials have now fraudulently presented or masterminded the presentation of the Staff of Office for “Osolo of Isolo” as expressly stated in Annexure 1 (the Instrument of Appointment personally signed by Mr. Governor) to the purported “High Chief Osolo” that was created by the Deji of Akure as a conduit to the milk and honey flowing in Isolo Community land.
“On the premise of the above facts, Our Clients are appealing to Your Excellency to take the following steps:
Direct an immediate investigation into the activities of the government officials assigned to enforce and/or effect the Instrument of Recognition/Appointment of “Osolo of Isolo” as a Recognized Chief, which was personally signed by Mr. Governor on 24th August, 2022 (Annexure 1), in order to find out the motive and/or incentive behind the sabotage of same;
“Direct appropriate sanctions to be taken against any erring public officials found culpable upon the conclusion of the investigation; and Immediately direct that the Staff of Office fraudulently presented to the purported “High Chief Osolo” be withdrawn and presented to the “Osolo of Isolo” in line with the Instrument of Appointment,” the family said.
Below is the full text of the petition;
29th December, 2022.
Our Ref: FEE/ODS/GOV/I.77/22
Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN
The Governor of Ondo State
Governor’s Office, Alagbaka G.R.A
Akure.
Your Excellency,
FRAUDULENT PRESENTATION OF “OSOLO OF ISOLO” STAFF OF OFFICE TO ONE HIGH CHIEF EDWARD ADEWOLE AS AGAINST OBA AMOS OLANREWAJU IDOWU (THE OSOLO OF OSOLO), IN VIOLATION OF THE INSTRUMENT OF APPOINTMENT PERSONALLY SIGNED BY MR. GOVERNOR ON 24TH AUGUST.
We act as Solicitors to the Osolo Abibiri Family of Isolo Community in Akure, represented by Engr. Olukayode Komolafe, Engr. Omotayo Oluwatuyi, High Chief (Arch.) Abiola Ogunjemilusi, Princess Adebusola Oluwatuyi, Princess Olayinka Dike, High Chief Oluwatimileyin Gbemisayo and Comrade Fagbayigbo Idowu, who are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Our Clients”.
According to Our Clients, the Ondo State Executive Council recently declared the Osolo of Isolo as a Recognized Chief under Part 1 of the Ondo State Chiefs Law, 1984 (as amended), pursuant to which Mr. Governor personally signed the Instrument of Appointment/Recognition of the “Osolo of Isolo” on 24th August, 2022, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annexure 1.
Contrary -and in serious affront- to the said Instrument of Appointment however, according to Our Clients (the family members), some officials of the State Government have surreptitiously compromised and fraudulently presented the Staff of Office meant for the Osolo of Isolo to one Edward Kolawole Adewole who claimed to have been appointed as High Chief Osolo (though not Osolo of Isolo) by the Deji of Akure, even though the Deji has no lot nor part under the Native Law and Custom in appointing Osolo of Isolo, and no Deji had ever meddled in the appointment of any of the past Osolo of Isolo Community.
According to Our Clients, the Osolo of Isolo is appointed under the Native Law and Custom of Isolo Community by Kingmakers and approved by Isolo Council of Chiefs. Seventeen (17) Obas had reigned as the Osolo of Isolo before the incumbent Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V, the Osolo of Isolo) was appointed in 2018; none of the 17 previous Obas was appointed by the Deji of Akure.
Following the passing of the last Osolo of Isolo in 2013, Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi, the Kingmakers and elders of Isolo Community unanimously approved Princess Adebusola Abisoye Oluwatuyi as the Regent of Isolo.
It was the same Regent that formally handed over the throne to the current Osolo of Isolo, Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V) on 21st April, 2018 following his appointment and installation.
Attached hereto as Annexures 2 to 5 are the letter by the Osolo Council of Chiefs calling for nomination of candidates for the Osolo of Isolo Stool, the letter of nomination/presentation of Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V) by his Osolo/Elemo Abibiri Family, the letter conveying the approval of his appointment by the Kingmakers and Council of Chiefs, and the handing over note by the immediate past Regent respectively.
From the facts made available to us, about 5 months after Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V) had been duly appointed and installed as the Osolo Isolo, the incumbent Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, in what Our Clients described as the Deji’s characteristic and ignoble way of fomenting and reaping from crises in otherwise peaceful communities within and adjoining Akure, claimed to have created a hitherto non-existent “High Chief Osolo” in Isolo Community and appointed a crony called (Chief) Edward Kolawole Adewole as such, vide a letter dated 4th June, 2018 attached hereto as Annexure 6.
Our Clients stated that although the Isolo Community regarded the creation and appointment of High Chief Osolo by the Deji as a serious act of aberration, territorial aggression and provocation, they successfully prevailed on Isolo Community members to refrain from violence. Oba Amos Olanrewaju Idowu (Abibiri V, the Oslo of Isolo) had thereafter instituted Suit AK/484/202 in the Ondo State High Court through the Law Firm of A.O Ogidan & Co, challenging the legality of the Deji’s action and seeking injunctions to restrain the Ondo State Government from relating with the said Edward Kolawole Adewole as High Chief Osolo or any other chieftaincy title by which he might be parading himself.
The case is still pending in Court.
Consequently, Ondo State Government officials, particularly those in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are fully aware of the history and circumstances surrounding the cultural aberration known as “High Chief Osolo”, according to Our Clients.
Our Clients were however shocked that the same government officials have now fraudulently presented or masterminded the presentation of the Staff of Office for “Osolo of Isolo” as expressly stated in Annexure 1 (the Instrument of Appointment personally signed by Mr. Governor) to the purported “High Chief Osolo” that was created by the Deji of Akure as a conduit to the milk and honey flowing in Isolo Community land.
On the premise of the above facts, Our Clients are appealing to Your Excellency to take the following steps:
Direct an immediate investigation into the activities of the government officials assigned to enforce and/or effect the Instrument of Recognition/Appointment of “Osolo of Isolo” as a Recognized Chief, which was personally signed by Mr. Governor on 24th August, 2022 (Annexure 1), in order to find out the motive and/or incentive behind the sabotage of same;
Direct appropriate sanctions to be taken against any erring public officials found culpable upon the conclusion of the investigation; and
Immediately direct that the Staff of Office fraudulently presented to the purported “High Chief Osolo” be withdrawn and presented to the “Osolo of Isolo” in line with the Instrument of Appointment.
May it please Mr. Governor to accept the highest esteem of Our Clients.
Yours faithfully,
Femi Emmanuel Emodamori
