The Ogun State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the police to arrest and prosecute the Oloorile of Orile Ifo, Oba Semiu Olawale Ogunjobi, for allegedly supervising the physical assault of a 70-year-old man, Chief Arinola Abraham Love, by his palace aides. The students also urged the Egba Traditional Council, led by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, to take decisive action by stripping Oba Ogunjobi of his royal status for desecrating the traditional institution.
Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, NANS Chairman, Comrade Abiola Francis, described the monarch’s conduct as a “public show of shame” and a betrayal of human dignity. Oba Ogunjobi was seen in a viral video allegedly forcing the sick and frail-looking septuagenarian to kneel on a highway, where he verbally abused, physically assaulted, and cursed him over an unclarified offense against his throne.
Condemning the act, Francis stated:
“The Nigerian Constitution and criminal laws are explicit on assault, abuse of power, and intimidation. This case must not be swept under the carpet. The monarch’s actions are abhorrent, condemnable, and contradict the Ọmọlúwàbí ethos that defines the Yoruba people, particularly in Egbaland.”
He further stressed that traditional rulers should be custodians of peace, justice, and morality, not instruments of oppression and hooliganism. NANS demanded immediate justice for Chief Arinola Abraham Love and called on relevant authorities to ensure that Oba Ogunjobi faces the full weight of the law.
