The Ogun State government on Sunday vowed to investigate a trending video, where one Chief Arinola Abraham Love is subjected to a dehumanising treatment allegedly by the Oloorile of Orile Ifo in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, Oba Semiu Ogunjobi.
In the two minutes video, Chief Arinola was seen kneeling on the road while a man whose face was not shown in the video, but was said to be Oba Ogunjobi was busy cursing him asking for all manner of evil to befall him and his family for being a conspirator.
The traditional ruler who, it was gathered is a retired police officer, equally boasted in the video that he was in control of the Nigeria Police and can do anything and as such he would send the man to jail and nothing will happen.
He went further to say that even if the man dies, he would bury him without any consequence.
One of the men who were with the traditional ruler later landed a slap on Chief Arinola asking him to prostrate before the royal father.
Oba 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….”
While reacting to this video, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade condemned the maltreatment of Chief Arinola, describing it as horrible and inappropriate.
Akinmade said “The action is very inappropriate and inhumane. This will be investigated and if proven to be true, necessary action will be taken.”
Similarly, the Special Assistant to the governor on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo in a post on his verified Facebook page also condemned the disposition of the royal father in the video, saying the situation could have been handled in a more civilised way.
Ojo said “I came across a disturbing video online showing Chief Arinola Abraham Love (JP) being subjected to public humiliation and physical assault. In the video, he was seen kneeling on the road while being slapped and verbally abused by someone identified as Ọba Semiu Olawale Ogunjobi, the Oloorile of Orile Ifo.
This incident reportedly stemmed from a kingship supremacy dispute.
The king allegedly took offense at Chief Arinola Abraham Love’s perceived support for a coronet Oba named Wasiu (as mentioned in the video). In response, he 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.”
