High Chiefs and prominent indigenes of Akure Kingdom in Ondo State, Tuesday condemned the deposed Deji of Akure, Prince Adepoju Adesina over his recent visit to the ancient town, five years after he was removed.
Adesina was alleged to have entered Akure on November 10, and appeared in court in a case he filed to challenge his removal and after the court sitting, he danced round the town, holding horse tail while his supporters called him ‘His Majesty’.
But the residents said his action nearly unsettled the peace and tranquillity which Akure was always known for and also portrayed the state capital as a town with two kings.
They vowed that Adesina would never rule the town as they alleged that the deposed Deji haboured criminals during his reign.
The Akures made their stand known on the issue at a press conference held in Akure and attended by the second in command to Deji, High Chief, James Olusoga, Odopetu of Akure, High Chief M.A Falade, the Asamo, Rotimi Olusanya.
Others include, Asiwaju of Akure kingdom, Ambassador Olu Agbi, Dr. Olaoye Adegoke, Dr. Dare Bada, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, High chief Ejemiki, Olu Omotayo among others.
Agbi, who spoke to reporters on behalf of his people, particularly warned Adesina to conduct himself properly if he had to continue to prosecute his case that would come up on December 8.
Agbi, however, called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase and Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko to prevail on the deposed Deji to stop stirring the hornet net and conduct himself properly if he wished to continue coming to the town.
While commending the state government for deposing Adesina, he stressed that apart from the allegation of brutalizing his wife, which led to his removal, he allegedly involved in some criminal actions that brought unprecedented embarrassment to Akure during his reign.
According to him, “Adesina got himself involved in some criminal acts and which Akure cannot forget in hurry. The palace of the Deji which hitherto was regarded as the bastion of Akure culture and tradition and one of the most revered stools in the entire Yoruba land became a hangout for young men of shady characters who had become regular guests to the Deji.
“Pickpockets who ordinarily roam around in the old garage found accommodation within the confines of our palace. Of course, this was a sacrilege and our people became unhappy at the turn of events.
“Deposed Deji introduced the notorious omo-onile system to Akure by empowering a group of brigands to go round the entire city on a daily basis, looking for signs of fresh developments. Once they discovered that someone was about to start construction of a building or was already constructing, the palace boys would immediately request for the payment of outrageous money to be paid by whoever was the developer.
“Adesina on several occasions got himself involved in attempts to seize landed property of Indigenes and non-indigenes of Akure. Once you tried to resist the illegal seizure of your property, he got his boys to immediately erect wooden notice on on that land it will read ‘heritage land….this land belongs to the Deji’.
“We call on Akure Chiefs to urgently address and take traditional action on this sacrilege committed again by Adesina when he went back where he had earlier performed the traditional ‘Ina Arapon’ which was a sign that he want to wage war on Akure.”
However, spokesman of Adesina’s family, Prince Dapo Adepoju Adesina in his reaction said the set of people who addressed the reporters against his brother were not representing the interest of majority of Akure indigenes.
He noted that they were just set of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains who were still aggrieved about the role the deposed Deji played in emergence of Governor Olusegun Mimiko in 2009 that removed the late Olusegun Agagu from office.
He denied all the allegations leveled against Adesina and challenged them to come with evidences on the alleged atrocities.
The spokesman said their aim was to set the Governor against Adesina and that they were also afraid about what may likely be the outcome of the court case.
“Adesina was in town so that he would appear in a court and he informed the Commissioner of Police about his coming as a law abiding citizen. He came to his father’s house before leaving the town the same day. I don’t think anything is bad in that”, he said.
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