In recent days, some Nigerian governors have engaged the culture of the dethronement of monarchs over power clash, especially with the government.
This is because Nigeria’s constitution empowered governors with the autonomy to sack a sitting monarch in the country.
However, the dethronement became popular when the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, removed the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
A long list of monarchs have been dethroned since Sanusi’s removal.
Here is a list of governors who have dethroned traditional rulers:
Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano, 2020.
Bello Matawalle, Zamfara, 2022.
Muhammad Adamu Aliero, Kebbi, 2005.
Nyeson Wike, Rivers, 2019.
Martin Elechi, Ebonyi, 2022.
Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo, 2010.
Adams Oshiomhole, Edo, 2016.
In another development, the Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Friday, ordered the arrest of two-person who parading themselves as Monarchs in Irele and Igodan Lisa in the state.
They were identified as Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi, who paraded himself as Olofun of Irele while Adeyemi Akinde paraded himself as Olu of Igodan Lisa and hence violated the Ondo chieftaincy law.
The court also ordered the Commissioner of Police to bring the suspects before the court.
Following the application of Charles Titiloye, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for Ondo State, the court gave the order.
Recall that, last week, the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had ordered the arrest and prosecution of the suspects.
Akeredolu said the arrest became imperative after Oloworiyibi had been parading himself as the Olofun of Irele in the state’s Irele Local Government Area.
The State Government underlined that no one has been approved or appointed as the Olofun of Irele kingdom.
Ademola Idowu Oloworiyibi was accused of conspiring with others who are still at large to unlawfully assume the Chieftaincy title of Olofun of Irele, which was said to be against and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo state, in Charge No. MAK/423C/2022 filed by the Attorney General before the Chief Magistrate Court located at Oke Eda, Akure.
Also, Oloworiyibi was charged with acting without the consent of the Ondo State Executive Council and in violation of sections 15(1) and (2) of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State by allowing himself to be installed and parading himself as Olofun of Irele.
Akinde was also charged with conspiracy and being installed illegally as the Olu of Igodan Lisa in violation of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State in a second charge with the number MAK/424C/2022.
Meanwhile, the two suspects’ trial was halted after they failed to appear in court.
The trial Magistrate, F. A. Aduroja ordered the Commissioner of Police to arrest and produce them on the next adjourned date, September 19, 2022.
