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By Babatola Osasona
The Ekiti Golf Club, founded on April 18, 1998, by the visionary Lt. Col. Inuwa Bawa, stands as a testament to community spirit and the love of golf.
It has cultivated an inviting atmosphere, encouraging engagement and a relentless pursuit of excellence, making it a true haven for golfers’ worldwide.
Throughout its history, the club has welcomed luminaries such as General David Mark, General Shagaya, Mr. Adekanola, and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who have cherished its pristine and challenging course, nestled in breathtaking scenery with outstanding facilities. The legacy of the Ekiti Golf Club is embodied in its remarkable members, including the late Col. Inuwa Bawa (the founder), the late Chief (Arc.) Fola Alade (the first president), Chief Mathew Aderiye (the first captain), Ven. Segun Agbetuyi, and Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin (Rtd.). The club is further enriched by past captains such as Barrister Dare Bello and AVM Adeniy Ojuawo (Rtd.), whose contributions inspire us all.
The Ekiti Golf Club, often lovingly called the friendliest golf course in south-western Nigeria, has experienced a series of internal challenges over the past four years that have left many members feeling frustrated and disheartened.
Unfortunately, this situation is not unique to our club; similar struggles have been reported by others, including the IBB Golf and Country Club in Abuja, the Kano Golf Club, and the Yola Golf Club, as noted by the Nigeria Golf Federation. The core of these issues seems to stem from a lack of adherence to the club’s constitution and insufficient transparency from the Board of Trustees.
The Registered Trustees, made up of respected individuals who have dedicated significant time and effort to our club and community, include Chief Mathew A. Aderiye, Prof. Olawumi Ajaja, Amb. Sam Otuyelu, HRM (Amb.) AEB Ayeni, and Chief Olufemi Adewumi as Chairman. However, it has been disheartening to see that the governance of the club has been overshadowed by the actions of Chief Adewumi and some of his associates. This has led to a disregard for Article 14 of the club’s constitution, which does not reflect the wishes of the majority of our valued members.
As a result, the beloved weekly golf kitty, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, have unfortunately become nonexistent, leaving many members feeling unmotivated and disconnected from the club. The sense of community that once thrived here has waned. For example, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, fewer than 12 of our 164 registered members were able to come together for a round of golf. This situation is deeply concerning for all of us who care about the future of our club.
The last three Annual General Meetings (AGMs) of the club, under Chief Adewumi, have been tumultuous and inconclusive, resulting in the need for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The last two EGMs have been fraught with tension, culminating in a walkout by more than half of the members who signed the attendance list, alongside a series of litigations in court.
At the Extraordinary General Meeting held at the clubhouse on September 28, 2024, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Olufemi Adewumi, and Sam Otuyelu unilaterally appointed Mr. Temitolu Oyedeji Falayi as the Captain without following the democratic election process outlined in the club constitution. Elections were, however, permitted for other positions, including Vice Captain, Lady Captain, Honorary Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Competition Secretary, and Course Officer.
During the EGM, Chief Adewumi claimed to be acting as a proxy for all other BOT members, despite their signed consent and the constitution, stating, “There shall be no election for the office of the Captain.” He argued that there was an agreement to this effect made during the Annual General Meeting on July 8, 2022, when Dr. Ayodele Seluwa was elected Captain to lead the 2023/2024 Executive Committee. Dr. Seluwa, along with several experienced elders of the club involved in prior discussions, contested this claim.
Mr. Pofi Daniel, a past Caddy Officer who stood unopposed for election as the Course Officer for 2024/25, emphasized the importance of transparency in decision-making. He noted that without written documentation or minutes from the BOT meeting, any position regarding the Captaincy should be reconsidered. His call for clarity resonated with other members, resulting in a walkout in protest of the BOT Chairman’s unilateral decision to disallow an election for the office of Captain, as specified in the Constitution.
Following the walkout staged by aggrieved members, those remaining—loyal to the Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman and his associate, Mr. Adegboyega Omotoyinbo—proceeded to unconstitutionally appoint Mr. Temitolu Falayi as the Captain for the 2024/25 season. They also voted to expel Mr. Fagboyinbo Sunday, blatantly ignoring the disciplinary procedures established in Article 8 of the club’s Constitution.
In response, Mr. Fagboyinbo firmly stated that he had committed no wrongdoing against anyone or the club’s Constitution that would justify such an expulsion. He unequivocally claimed that he has been unjustly targeted for speaking out against the oppression and blatant disregard for the Constitution demonstrated by the BOT Chairman in the club’s governance, which is entirely contrary to established regulations and global best practices. Furthermore, he emphasized that he had not received any petition and had not been afforded the opportunity to defend himself before the club’s disciplinary committee.
In light of these events, two petitions have been filed in the Ado-Ekiti High Court, challenging the legitimacy of Mr. Temitolu Falayi’s election as the Captain of the Ekiti Golf Club and the wrongful expulsion of Mr. Sunday Fagboyinbo.
Since Mr. Temitolu was appointed without the consent of majority of the members, he has transformed the Ekiti Golf Club into a personal fiefdom, where the rights and privileges of members are being trampled upon by certain groups around him. This was evident during the inaugural competition, where duly registered players were denied the right to compete due to their views, leanings, and beliefs. Such actions are unsportsmanlike, discriminatory, and have no place in the noble world of golf.
Just last Saturday, April 12, 2025, the Honorary Secretary of the Club, Engineer Babatola Osasona, was denied access to the golf course and was forcibly removed from the clubhouse by a group of thugs allegedly hired by the Captain, Mr. Temitolu Falayi. These individuals, reportedly under the command of Mr. Jide Akinboye—who is not a current financial member—were tasked with harassing and intimidating members who hold differing views. This trend poses a serious threat to the democratic nature of the association and is contrary to the philosophy of Mr. Abayomi Oyebanji, the Governor of Ekiti State, whom Captain Mr. Temitolu Falayi currently serves as a director of Protocol.
Engineer Babatola has reported the incident to the nearest police station, where it has been documented under the charge of CSP Adeyemo the District police officer. He will be seeking legal redress after exhausting internal mediation within the club.
When questioned about the harassment he endured, Engineer Babatola made it clear that he was fully aware of the disciplinary action initiated against him by Captain Temitolu Falayi. This action stemmed from the findings of a Membership Verification Committee led by Mr. Isaac Adeyemi Shedowo, a respected banker and chartered accountant. Babatola firmly asserted that the committee under Mr. Shedowo was effectively hijacked by Mr. Adegboyega Omotoyinbo, who manipulated the membership verification report to justify his own past misconduct as captain from 2016 to 2021. This misconduct resulted in a substandard output, as highlighted by multiple petitions from members. Additionally, the committee’s failure to provide crucial reference documents, including audited accounts, bank statements, letters, and memos used during their audit, further underscores the inadequacy of their findings.
Engr. Babatola firmly asserted that after successfully defending himself against the captain during the first petition, the captain retaliated by filing another petition accusing him of insubordination. In a decisive move, Engr. Babatola challenged the disciplinary committee, headed by Mr. Kayode Afolabi, by questioning whether “defiance of an unconstitutional directive constitutes insubordination.” The committee’s inadequate response was a recommendation for a one-month suspension, pending ratification by the General Meeting, in accordance with Articles 8 and 12 of the Constitution.
Engr. Babatola categorically stated that the actions of the current captain, Mr. Temitolu Falayi, have been nothing short of tyrannical and unlawful. He explicitly communicated his grave concerns about the captain’s behavior and decisions in a memo titled “In Defense of Our Laws,” dated October 2024, which he submitted to the board of trustees through the chairman, Chief Olufemi Adewumi. Additionally, he sent a strong memo to the general membership on March 7, 2025. The board of trustees’ silence thus far is telling and indicates a troubling division among its members regarding the unconstitutional nature of Mr. Temitolu Falayi’s leadership.
Moreover, the captain’s unilateral decision to terminate the long-standing partnership between the Ekiti Golf Club and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on December 11, 2024, without consulting the Executive Committee, is a blatant disregard for proper governance. This reckless action has placed the safety of club members and its property at serious risk, transforming the grounds into a venue for cult initiation and enabling thugs to intimidate and harass members, directly violating the foundational vision of the club.
The Ekiti Golf Club is on the brink of a remarkable transformation, with the expansion of its course to a full 18 holes, thanks to the generosity of passionate Nigerians and dedicated golf supporters. In tandem with this initiative, the Ekiti state government, under the astute leadership of His Excellency Governor Abayomi Oyebanji, our esteemed Grand Patron, is set to revitalize the clubhouse, bringing it back to life.
To truly restore the Ekiti Golf Club to the serene sanctuary it once was, it is imperative for the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Olufemi Adewumi mni, to champion a return to constitutional governance. This means safeguarding the rights and privileges of all members, ensuring transparency and accountability, fostering an environment of discipline, and honoring the cherished traditions of golf. This vision is possible by revitalizing the Board of Trustees, appointing capable individuals to replace any inactive members. It is also crucial to invoke the Annual Validation of Trustees at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) as stipulated in Article 14 of the club’s constitution. Moreover, to bolster financial governance, the club must secure the appointment of an independent auditor to meticulously review the club’s financial records from 2016 to the present. This step is essential for ensuring compliance with Article 29 of the Ekiti Golf Club constitution and the CAMA 2020 laws under which the club operates.
Upholding discipline among members is also crucial. A culture that does not tolerate bullying and harassment, while promoting equal rights and privileges, must be established. Lastly, a dedicated effort should be made to reconcile all aggrieved members.
With these steps, community of golfers founded on fairness, equity, and justice can be created.
