A CLARIFICATION ON RECENT EVENTS AND COUNTERS BASELESS ALLEGATIONS FROM AKUNGBA PALACE
As the student union president of Adekunle Ajasin University Students’ Union, I wish to address the misleading and defamatory press release issued by the Media and Publicity unit of the Alale Royal Palace, Akungbaland, which seeks to malign the integrity of the student Union and deflect responsibility for the tragic accident on October 22, 2025, along the Akungba–Okerigbo axis. This response is necessary to set the record straight, defends the truth, and exposes the corruption and negligence undermining the enforcement of the road closure.
Contrary to the Palace’s distorted narrative, the released audio message was to justify the stand of the union in a factual clarification and the Union’s efforts to ensure accountability and safety. The Palace’s attempt to politicize this tragedy and discredit the students’ union is a desperate move to obscure their own failures.
On October 18, 2025, a meeting was held at the Alale’s Residential Palace with student union representatives, Palace boys and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO). The meeting was resolved to prevent heavy-duty vehicles from using the route, thereby averting further loss of lives. The barricade was secured with a padlock, and one key was handed to the student union for monitoring. However, the spare keys which they claimed had been lost remained with individuals affiliated with the Palace, known as “palace boys.”
This arrangement was necessitated by credible reports and evidence of bribery and corruption by these palace boys, who turned the barricade into an illegal toll gate, extorting large sums from truck drivers to allow passage. Such corrupt practices defeated the purpose of the road closure, endangering students, residents, and commuters. The student union took the decisive step of securing the key to enforce the closure properly, as the Palace’s oversight was clearly compromised.
Since assuming responsibility, the student union has maintained strict vigilance, ensuring no trucks have passed through the route. A stark contrast to the period when corruption allegedly allowed unauthorised access. The union’s commitment to safety has been for dedication, with our members, including as a body of students, abstaining from sleep since Saturday, October 18, 2025, to monitor the barricade and apprehend those undermining the effort. On the night of Saturday, October 18, one of the palace boys was caught attempting to facilitate unauthorized passage and was promptly handed over to the police for investigation.
We provide irrefutable evidence through an accompanying voice recording, which names specific individuals involved in the extortion scheme and includes visual evidence identifying faces affiliated with the Palace. This evidence, gathered through diligent investigations, will be submitted to the police and anti-corruption agencies for further action.
We categorically reject the Palace’s baseless claims and the accusations are mere distractions from the core issues of corruption and failed oversight. The student union still remains dedicated to advocating for student welfare and community safety, supporting peaceful demonstrations as a democratic right when addressing genuine grievances.
We urge His Royal Majesty Oba Oseni Isiaka Adu, Agure I, the Alale of Akungbaland, to investigate these allegations of corruption within his domain rather than deflecting blame onto student leaders. The Palace must prioritize transparency, accountability, and the safety of Akungba-Akoko residents and students, rather than engaging in divisive tactics.
The student union is committed to pursuing justice and safety through lawful means and will not be deterred by attempts to suppress the truth.
E-SIGNED
Comrade Salami Akeem (Ologbon)
President, Students’ Union, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko
