Owa Obokun dethrones Oba-Odo of Ilesa over transformer scandal

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, has removed Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa.

The monarch announced the removal in a statement personally signed at the weekend, citing Gbadamosi’s unlawful role in the disappearance of two community-owned electric transformers.

According to the statement, Gbadamosi illegally carted away 300KVA and 500KVA transformers from the Atakumosa Market Post Office in 2023, during the reign of the late Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, who vehemently rebuked him for the act at the time.

The statement noted that all efforts made by the previous Owa to ensure that Gbadamosi returned the transformers belonging to the affected communities of Araromi, Adeti, Palace, and Odo Osunmu were thwarted.

Upon his ascension to the throne, Oba Haastrup set up a Committee on the Resolution of Chieftaincy Disputes, Land, and Sundry Matters. Based on a petition submitted to the committee by members of the communities against the High Chief for illegally and unlawfully removing the transformers, the committee invited him to appear and explain the whereabouts of the equipment.

During the committee’s sittings, the Iyaloja of Atakumosa Market testified that Gbadamosi attempted to bribe her with ₦750,000 to endorse the “sale” of the transformers, which she declined. The Youth Leader of Araromi also revealed that Gbadamosi moved the equipment out of the market at night with a hiab truck and offered him money, which he rejected.

Confronted before the committee, Gbadamosi confessed to selling the 300KVA transformer for ₦120,000 and admitted moving the 500KVA transformer to Ibadan, claiming it was for repairs. He was given 30 days, and later one more week by Oba Haastrup, to return both transformers but failed to comply.

Describing his actions as illegal and unbecoming, Oba Haastrup declared: “Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi shall henceforth cease to be referred to as Oba-Odo of Ilesa. He should also refrain from parading himself as such. He shall immediately vacate the chieftaincy house, which shall remain under lock and key. Members of the public are hereby informed not to deal with or address Mr. Busuyi Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa.”