Hoodlums stole crown, attempted raping my wife — Ogun monarch

The Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oba Abdul Lateef Adeniran, on Monday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, told the Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the recent crisis in the town how his suspected assailants attempted to rape his wife, Adebisi, during the attack on his palace.

Adeniran alleged that the suspected hoodlums, who attacked him on April 15 this year, not only attempted to rape his wife but also took away his crown and other valuable items.

The monarch, while giving details of the attack on him by the suspected hoodlums added that the sum of N1.5m cash kept in his palace as at the time of the incident was equally stolen.

He further alleged that he was beaten with charms by his attackers, saying he would have been dead by now but for the grace of God.

He said, “These hoodlums after beating me and stripping me naked proceeded to the palace where all the cars parked in the compound were set ablaze.

“My family was physically attacked. Infact, my first wife, Alhaja Fausat Adebisi Akanni, was assaulted, stripped naked and they even attempted to rape her and was only saved by the arrival of the contingent of Nigerian Army sent to douse the tension”

The monarch, who according to a statement by the Media Officer of the Commission, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, listed 51 respondents and six alleged sponsors/financiers of the respondents in his memorandum, filed before the commission, said he was travelling to Ilaro along with his driver, Mr. Olufunmi Jide, to see the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, when the hoodlums, led by one Jaye Falana, attacked him.

Narrating his ordeal further, the monarch explained that one Mr. Ganiyu Lawal, who attempted to rescue him was attacked with machet and clubs, while he was equally beaten up by his alleged attackers and left unconscious.

“Suffice to say that the same treatment was metted out to my driver, who only regained consciousness at the Ado-Odo Divisional Police Station,” he added.

The monarch was asked by the State lead counsel, Mr. Yemi Omotola, if he knew what led to the crisis that engulfed the town on April 14 and 15.

Oba Adeniran told the panel that the Supreme Court judgment that was in his favour in the contest for the Obaship of the town did not go down well with his opponent, Prince Muniru Odejide, and his supporters, who had earlier challenged his nomination and approval by his family, Idobarun Ruling house.

The monarch alleged that Odejide and his cohorts had sometimes on June 28, 2003 installed himself as Oba of Ado Odo when the ruling by the Court of Appeal was still pending.