APTAN alleges extortion in Ooni’s name, calls for urgent intervention

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife Branch, has raised the alarm over alleged extortion and harassment of its members by individuals claiming to represent the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, following their refusal to pay levies linked to the annual Olojo Festival.

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Saidi Adegoke, the association alleged that thugs stormed the Ojatuntun Otisese Weekly Market last week and seized traders’ goods because its members declined to pay the Olojo Festival levy.

The association identified Mr. Efunwole Kola, Mr. Sogo Olagbaju, and Mr. Hezekiah Agunbiade as being involved in the incident. It stated that the confiscated items included clothes, several containers of vegetable oil, and other wares belonging to poor artisans and traders.

Adegoke lamented: “For over five years, our members have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and seizure of goods under the guise of compulsory levies for traditional festivals. Goods taken in previous years have never been returned, and this yearly oppression continues despite our repeated appeals.”

He explained that most of their members are Muslims who regularly pay legitimate dues but cannot, for religious reasons, contribute to traditional worship practices. He cited Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion — including the freedom to change their religion or belief, and to manifest and propagate it, alone or in community, publicly or privately, through worship, teaching, practice, and observance.

Adegoke also referenced Section 44(1), which protects citizens from compulsory acquisition of property except in accordance with the law, stressing that the forceful seizure of members’ goods is “unlawful, unconstitutional, and amounts to economic assault.”

While expressing deep respect for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Adegoke maintained that the monarch is likely unaware of the alleged nefarious acts, which he claimed are being perpetrated by some high chiefs and the Babaloja, without the knowledge of the palace.

APTAN therefore called on the Federal and Osun State Governments, the Nigeria Police, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and other Muslim bodies to intervene.

In response, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, dismissed the allegations, stressing that the palace had no involvement in the matter. He explained that the Ooni had already made provisions for the Olojo Festival, adding that anyone extorting traders in the name of the palace should be treated as a criminal and handed over to the police.