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The Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has removed Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi as Oba-Odo of Ilesa with immediate effect.
Consequently, Owa advised members of the public not to deal with or call Mr. Gbadamosi as Oba-Odo of Ilesa.
Chief Gbadamosi’s removal is in connection with his illegal and unlawful removal of two electric transformers, 300KVA and 500KVA respectively, from the post office in Atakumosa Market, Ilesa, sometime in 2023, during the reign of Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II.
A statement by Chief Shola Oshunkeye recalled that the previous Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, had rebuked Chief Gbadamosi for carting away the two transformers without his permission and that of the affected communities, namely: Araromi, Adeti, Palace and Odo Osunmu, which the two electrical equipment served.
All efforts made by the previous Owa to ensure that Chief Gbadamosi returned the transformers were thwarted. Consequent upon the installation and coronation of the incumbent Owa Obokun, a committee on resolution of chieftaincy disputes, land and sundry matters was set up.
Among the petitions received by the committee was the one written and submitted by members of the accusing Chief Gbadamosi of illegally and unlawfully removing the said transformers. Consequently, Gbadamosi was invited to appear before the committee to state his own side of the story and explain the whereabouts of the two transformers.
During the committee’s sitting, the Iyaloja of Atakumosa Market, Mrs. Awe and the Youth Leader of Araromi community, gave evidence against him. The Iyaloja told the Committee that Chief Gbadamosi sent two emissaries to her, asking her to append her signature to a document confirming the sale of the two transformers and that, in return, he would give her N750,000 from the proceeds of the sale. But she rejected the offer and declined to sign the documents.
The youth leader also testified against Chief Gbadamosi, stating that he brought a Hiab truck in the night to remove the transformers and that he (Gbadamosi) offered to give him (Youth Leader) money but he equally rejected it.
Upon further questioning, Chief Gbadamosi confessed that he had sold the 300KVA for N120,000, adding that he used the proceeds to transport the second transformer (500KVA ) to Ibadan, Oyo State, for repairs.
Consequent upon his confession, the committee gave him 30 days within which to retrieve the two transformers and return them to where they were previously installed at the post office. But he failed, refused and/or neglected to retrieve and return the transformers.
As a result of this, the committee reported his refusal to return the transformers to the paramount ruler of Ijesaland, who gave him a week within which to retrieve and return the two transformers. His failure to comply earned him a sanction.
“In view of the unlawful and illegal removal, sale and conversion of the proceeds of sale of the two transformers by Gbadamosi; in view of an attitude unbecoming of a High Chief in Ijesaland, and in an attempt and effort to preserve the culture and tradition of Ijesaland, I, the Owa Obokun Adimula and paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, have decided to relieve and remove Chief Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa with immediate effect.
“Chief Gbadamosi shall, henceforth, cease to be referred to as Oba-Odo of Ilesa. He shall also refrain from parading himself as such. He shall immediately vacate the chieftaincy house, and the chieftaincy house shall remain under lock and key; and members of the public are hereby informed not to deal with or call Mr. Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa. This is my pronouncement as the paramount ruler of Ijesaland.”
