Deposed Akure monarch returns, challenges deposition

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Five years after his dethronement and banishment by the Ondo State Government, former Deji of Akure, Prince Adesina Adepoju, arrived the city on Tuesday amidst jubilation from his family, friends and associates.

Adepoju, who hails from Osupa Ruling House, was dethroned and banished for six months by the state government on June 10, 2010 following a free-for-all that ensued between him and his late wife, Bolanle. The state government had described the action as an embarrassment to the stool of Deji of Akureland.

After his removal, Oba Adebiyi Adesida was enthroned as the new Deji in August, 2010 but he died on December 1, 2013, after a brief illness.

Adepoju has filed a suit against the new Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, and the state government at a state High Court sitting in Akure, over his dethronement.

He challenged his dethronement by the state government and the installation of Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo as the Deji of Akure. He claimed to have been wrongly deposed as the traditional ruler of the ancient town by the state government and prayed the court to order his reinstatement.

But Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi, who presided over the court, adjourned the case till December 8, 2015.

However, all efforts made by journalists to speak with the deposed Deji at his family house in Odo Ijoka area of Akure was aborted by the men of the state police command who allegedly arrested and whisked him away to their station for questioning.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph, denied Adepoju’s arrest, saying, “The man has not committed any offence to warrant his arrest by the police.”

He said the presence of men of the command on the street around the residence of the deposed monarch was to ensure security of lives and property, adding that he was whisked away so that hoodlums would not take advantage of the situation to attack him.

Source: Punch