TheNewsGuru

Tag: Palace

  • Gunmen who invaded, kidnapped Ekiti monarch from his palace demand N20m ransom

    Gunmen who invaded, kidnapped Ekiti monarch from his palace demand N20m ransom

    Kidnappers who abducted Oba David Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, have demanded N20 million ransom to secure his release.

    TheNewsGuru, TNG reports that Oyewumi was abducted by the gunmen who invaded the palace in Ilemeso Ekiti in Oye LGA of Ekiti state at 9.00 p.m. on April 15.

    A family source, who did not want his name published, told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Monday that the abductors contacted the family late on Saturday and demanded the ransom.

    “We have been contacted by those who took Kabiyesi. They called us around 7.03 p.m. on Saturday and demanded that we pay N20 million for the king to be released.

    “We are really worried by this demand, but the family is not taking anything to chance, as we are taking further steps to ensure that Kabiyesi is released alive as soon as possible.”

    Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Abutu, said the police was not aware of the ransom demanded.

    Abutu, however, said that the police and other security agencies were making frantic efforts to rescue the Oba from captivity safe.

    “We are taking all security measures to ensure that we rescue the Oba. We are not resting at all.

    “We are working with other sister agencies in this regard and also working on intelligence we have at our disposal.

    “The police want to work more to prevent this kind of crime and we are relying on information from the members of the public.

    “We work more on information we find to be veracious,” the PPRO said.

    The police spokesman appealed to members of the public to help with valuable information on the matter.

    “We assure them that the police will protect the identities of such informants,” Abutu said.

    TNG reports that the attack on the Oba was the second of such in the state within three weeks.

    Another Oba had earlier been attacked while on transit at 7.00 p.m. and his official car was riddled with bullets by gunmen believed to be kidnappers.

    He was, however, lucky to escape being kidnapped, but sustained gunshot wounds on the stomach and other parts of the body.

  • I am done living in bondage, Alaafin’s wife packs out of palace, alleges threat to life

    I am done living in bondage, Alaafin’s wife packs out of palace, alleges threat to life

    One of the wives of the Alaafin of Oyo, Anuoluwapo Adeyemi, has parted ways with him, alleging threat to life.

    Anu, who has a set of twins for the Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi III, also alleged that there was an attempt to kidnap her and called on Nigerians to note that were anything to happen to her, the monarch should be held responsible.

    The queen, who is one of the youngest wives of the monarch, said this in an Instagram post on Wednesday night.

    She wrote, “It is with great sadness that I am putting out this statement. I deem it necessary to do so as I feel my life is being threatened as a result of me walking out of my marriage. The purpose of this statement is to let all and sundry know that should anything happen to me and my children, it is as a result of my exit from the palace. And the monarch should be held responsible.

    “It’s not my wish to walk out. I can’t continue to live under bondage. I wish to live, be the best I can for my children.

    “I chose not to grant any interview to any media outlet as this is my personal and private life in which for the sake of my children, I chose to leave quietly in order to live for them. However, if I feel my life is being threatened.”

    Anu, who was hitherto believed to be the favourite wife of the Oyo monarch, said anyone who sought to judge her for action, should put themselves in her position before doing so

    She said she was devastated to find out her family members were being harassed over her whereabouts.

    Anu stated, “This is an outcry to protect my life. That I left the palace should not warrant a threat to my life. I can never deny my children the right to their father, however, it is only motherly for me to have them with me,” she added.

    “I was appalled to find out that my family is being harassed because my location is unknown to the king. The attempt to also have me kidnapped failed, and I can no longer keep my silence.

    “I refuse to live in bondage and will do anything within my human right to be free. I just want to live and be the mother of my children.”

  • Mob chase away Osun monarch, seals palace

    Mob chase away Osun monarch, seals palace

    Irate mob on Monday reportedly attacked Oba Olatunde Falabi, the Akire of Ikire, Osun, where they allegedly chased away the king and seal off the palace.

    The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that Oba Falabi was taken into safety by military personnel who rescued the king from the mob who were on a mission to forcefully evict him.

    NAN learnt that the youths were protesting the non-implementation of a Supreme Court judgement which declared Oba Falabi’s continued stay the throne as illegal.

    The police Spokesperson in Osun, SP Opalola Yemisi, confirmed the development to newsmen and added that no life was lost during the incident.

    The battle for the throne had started in 1987 after the demise of the former traditional ruler, Oba Oseni Oyegunle.

    NAN also reports that when the process of appointing a new monarch started, one of the five ruling houses, Aketula, presented a candidate, Mr Tajudeen Olanrewaju, in line with the Akire of Ikire Chieftaincy Declaration of 1958.

    Before the process of Olanrewaju’s installation could be completed, two ruling houses, Ladekan and Lanbeloye, went to court to challenge the inclusion of Aketula in the ruling houses.

    An Ile-Ife High Court, Ile-Ife, where the matter was instituted, consequently stopped Olanrewaju’s installation as the monarch, while the incumbent, Oba Olutunde Falabi, was installed in May 1993.

    Even though he lost at the Appeal Court, Ibadan, Olanrewaju proceeded to the Supreme Court.

    The Supreme Court, in its judgment on April 11, 2014, affirmed that Aketula was one of the ruling houses, as provided in the 1958 Akire of Ikire Chieftaincy Declaration.

    The Supreme Court also held that in view of the evidence on record, “it shows that the 1958 Declaration, in respect of the Akire of Ikire Chieftaincy stool, has not been amended or repealed.’’

    Following the judgment, the incumbent monarch approached an Osun High Court, praying it to restrain the state government from deposing him because he had not committed any offence warranting his removal.

    He also pleaded with the court to restrain the state governor, the Commissioners for Justice, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, from deposing him while his incumbency subsisted.

    Justice Abdulkareem of Osun High Court, in his judgment of June 29, 2020, however, said that Falabi could no longer occupy the stool, based on the 1958 Akire Declaration and the rotational procedure contained therein.

  • [Video]: Hoodlums invade Oba Akiolu’s palace, cart away staff of office

    [Video]: Hoodlums invade Oba Akiolu’s palace, cart away staff of office

    Thugs on Wednesday stormed the Palace of the Oba of Lagos located at Iga Idugaran, Lagos Island, vandalising vehicles and carting away several artefacts.

    In a video which has gone viral on the Internet, the thugs are seen making away with the staff of office commonly referred to as ‘Opa Ase’.

    A witness(names witheld) who spoke on the incident disclosed that the angry youths believe the king is part of the government.

    “Oba Akiolu is Tinubu’s friend, so whenever anything happens in Lagos, people always point finger at him; in fact some see the palace as an extension of Lagos government” He said.

    Watch video:

  • Oba of Benin condemns unruly behavior of miscreants in front of his palace

    Oba of Benin condemns unruly behavior of miscreants in front of his palace

    …says Edo should not be turned into a war zone over guber ambition

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Disturbed by the unruly behavior in front of Oba of Benin palace when Governor Godwin Obaseki and other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP stalwarts visited the Oba, the Benin Traditional Council on Wednesday condemned the action of the alleged sponsored political thugs.

    In a statement entitled: ‘Appeal For Peace In Edo State’, issued and signed by the council’s Secretary, Frank Traber stated that ” the His Royal Majesty is committed to peace and tranquility in the state.

    See full statement below:

    The Benin Traditional Council observed with dismay the unruly behaviour of some youths outside the gate of the Palace on Saturday, 25 July, 2020, when His Excellency. Governor Godwin Obaseki and some other PDP Governors visited His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin.

    The Benin Traditional Council wishes to state that His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin warmly welcomed the august visitors, led by His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State. The meeting was cordial. During the meeting. His Royal Majesty recalled the warm reception accorded him by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State when the Omo Oba paid a “Thank You’ visit to those states. The courtesy visit of the esteemed august visitors to the Omo Oba ended very well.

    We were therefore surprised to hear later that there was an incident outside the Palace, directly in front of Oredo Local Government Secretariat. His Royal Majesty condemns this unruly behaviour that occurred in front of the Palace.

    We wish to reiterate and emphasize once more that the Benin Throne is not partisan. The Benin Traditional Council uses this medium to advise all political party members not to turn Edo State into a war zone because of gubernatorial ambition.

    His Royal Majesty is committed to peace and tranquility in the state and, peaceful up coming gubernatorial election.

    The Palace enjoin all well-meaning indigenes of Edo State to join His Royal Majesty in continuous prayers for peace and tranquility in Edo State and peaceful up-coming gubernatorial election.

    Long live Edo State.

    Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Oba ghato kpere, Ise.

    BENIN TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

    Frank Traber, Secretary Benin Traditional Council.

  • COVID-19: Ooni shuts palace; suspends cultural, social events

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has shut his palace to curb spread of Coronavirus.

    Ooni, in a statement yesterday by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, said: “The palace is shut and all social and cultural activities have been suspended, only visitors with essential mission will be allowed in.

    “The easiest solution is for everyone to stay at home. COVID-19 is not a respecter of anybody, and does not honour anybody. This is the first time in a long while that the world is having a common problem, we must tackle it together.”

    The Ooni advised people to engage in frequent hand washing and to cover their mouth while coughing and sneezing.

    He added: “We must look beyond the negativities and look at the lessons embedded in this challenging time. Coronavirus teaches high personal hygiene; let us be clean and embrace regular handwashing with clean water and soap.

    “I implore Nigerians to restrict their movements only to core places to prevent spread of the deadly virus. Let us abide by these simple rules and principles for our good. The government and its officials are not trying to usurp our freedom, but working hard to protect us.”

  • Panic as residents shut Ekiti monarch out of palace

    Residents of Odo Ora in Ido/Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti State have locked their monarch out of palace.

    The aggrieved residents faulted the procedure that produced the monarch, saying he failed to observe traditional rite, an act they claimed was antithetical to the tradition of the town.

    The kingmakers and other community leaders also alleged that the monarch was not formally installed as traditional procession were circumvented.

    One of the community leaders, Prof. Olawumi Ajaja, disclosed Odo Ora indigenes had nothing against the embattled monarch but the process produced him.

    Ajaja, former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, said the locals still see the monarch as an Oba-elect alleging that traditional rites were yet to be performed.

    The monarch Obalemo of Odo Ora, Oba Samuel Akinola Adeyemo appealed to the State Government to save him from being deposed from the throne.

    The monarch in his Save My Soul (SOS) petition forwarded to the State Government on the crisis told the Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi that he had been locked out of the palace by suspected hoodlums allegedly mobiliSed by some interest groups in the community.

    Egbeyemi, during a peace meeting in his office on Wednesday, condemned the violence that recently rocked the community.

    According to statement by his Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi warned that the full weight of the law would be visited on individuals fomenting trouble in Odo Ora.

    Egbeyemi said government had to summon the peace meeting following intelligence report from security agencies on possible outbreak of violence over the kingship crisis.

    The deputy governor warned stakeholders in Odo Ora to maintain peace stressing that government won’t depose any monarch in the state.

    He advised Odo Ora indigenes aggrieved with the emergence of Oba Adeyemo as the Obalemo to seek redress in the court of law.

    Egbeyemi further stressed that government would not fold its arms and allow the situation to degenerate into anarchy adding that anybody caught fomenting trouble would be arrested and prosecuted.

    The deputy governor urged parties in the crisis to report back in his office on February 21 for a follow-up peace parley to resolve the impasse.

  • Palace end Man City’s winning run but miss late penalty

    Manchester City’s 18-game Premier League winning run was ended by a goalless draw at Crystal Palace, who missed out on the chance to become the first team to beat them in the league this season when they had an injury-time penalty saved.

    It was a disappointing display from Pep Guardiola’s side, but they still extended their lead at the top of the table to 14 points – the biggest gap between the leaders and the chasing pack at this stage of the season in top-flight history.

    It could have been worse for City had goalkeeper Ederson not saved Luka Milivojevic’s spot-kick after substitute Raheem Sterling had fouled Wilfried Zaha in the box in the 92nd minute.

    However it could still prove a costly afternoon for City with Gabriel Jesus leaving the field injured and in tears in the first half, and the league’s top assist-maker Kevin de Bruyne stretchered off after a heavy tackle from Jason Puncheon in the final minute.

    It leaves City with only one fit senior striker in Sergio Aguero who replaced Jesus at Selhurst Park.

    While Chelsea and Manchester United trail City by some distance, they may see a small light at the end of the tunnel in a title race that appeared to be all but over before the turn of the year.

    BBC Sports

  • Palace out of relegation zone with impressive win at Leicester

    Crystal Palace climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone for the first time this season as they outplayed Claude Puel’s resurgent Leicester to seal a rare away win.

    Christian Benteke cost Palace victory when he missed an injury-time penalty he was not supposed to take last weekend, but the striker redeemed himself with a first-half header from Andros Townsend’s cross – his first goal of the campaign.

    Palace had failed to score in their past 10 league away games, but Roy Hodgson’s organised and adventurous team added a second before the break when Benteke’s strong run and pass set up Wilfried Zaha for a brilliant individual finish.

    Leicester only tested goalkeeper Julian Speroni when they rallied in the second half – the Italian reacting superbly to reach Riyad Mahrez’s angled low drive with a strong palm.

    And any potential comeback was hamstrung when Wilfred Ndidi was sent off on his birthday less than a minute after Vicente Iborra’s header was correctly disallowed for a foul.

    Ndidi – who turns 21 today – was shown a second yellow card for simulation in the penalty box with just under half an hour to play.

    Palace had a much more legitimate penalty shout when Benteke was crumpled in the area by Marc Albrighton’s sliding tackle from behind, but the referee waved away appeals for a chance to add extra gloss on an impressive away performance.

    Bakary Sako eventually provided it – tucking away Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s pass across goal to round off a 94th-minute counter-attack.

    The Foxes, who so impressively dismantled Puel’s former club Southampton in midweek, remain eighth in the table, while Palace rise four places to 14th – though the teams below them are yet to play this weekend.

    BBC Sports

  • Gunmen invade Olubadan’s palace, disrupt installation of baales, mogajis

    Unknown gunmen on Monday morning invaded the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji in Popo-Yemoja, Ibadan, Oyo state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the monarch was performing the coronation ceremony of some traditional chiefs (Baales and Mogajis) at the palace when the gunmen struck shooting sporadically into the air.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that a former secretary to the state government who also doubles as the reigning Asaaju Balogun of Ibadan land, Mr. Sharafadeen Alli and reporters from The Punch, ThisDay and Daily Trust were among the people who escaped death by the whiskers at the palace when the gunmen stroke.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Olubadan chieftaincy review had been a subject of protracted crises in recent time, particularly between the Olubadan and the Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

    Last week, the Olubadan sued the governor over what the monarch called the illegality of the chieftaincy review of Ibadan land.

    Details later…