In the two-minute clip, Chief Abraham is seen kneeling in the middle of a dusty road while being berated and threatened. A man believed to be Oba Ogunjobi, a retired police officer, is heard shouting curses at the elderly chief and his family. In Yoruba, the monarch allegedly says, “You are a conspirator; it will never be well with you, your wife, and your children. Whoever thinks he is courageous enough should come out to face me. Even if you die, we will bury you, and nothing will happen.”
At one point, a man accompanying the monarch forcefully snatches Chief Abraham’s cap, slaps him, and orders him to prostrate before Oba Ogunjobi. Despite the abuse, the elderly man remains composed, pleading, “Kabiyesi, I have done nothing wrong. If I have offended you, you could have called me. I am not feeling well.”
In response to the growing public outrage, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, condemned the incident, describing it as “inappropriate, inhumane, and completely unacceptable.” He assured that the government would take swift action.
“This will be investigated thoroughly, and if proven to be true, the necessary legal actions will be taken against those involved, regardless of their status,” Akinmade told PUNCH Online.
Similarly, the Governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo, expressed strong disapproval in a Facebook post. He wrote, “I came across a disturbing video online showing Chief Arinola Abraham (JP) being subjected to public humiliation and physical assault. In the video, he was seen kneeling on the road while being slapped and verbally abused by someone identified as Oba Semiu Olawale Ogunjobi. Such an act is highly condemnable and unjustifiable, regardless of the underlying issues.”
Ojo added, “The incident reportedly stemmed from a kingship supremacy dispute. The king allegedly took offense at Chief Abraham’s perceived support for a coronet Oba named Wasiu. Regardless of this, there are more dignified and lawful ways to address disputes, especially among traditional leaders. Resorting to force, assault, and public humiliation is unacceptable and must be strongly denounced.”
When contacted, Oba Ogunjobi denied the allegations, claiming he was not the person seen in the viral video. “I am not familiar with the video you are referring to. I’ve been receiving numerous calls about it, and petitions have been sent to various authorities. A newspaper even published that I am not the person in the video,” he stated.
Chief Abraham, however, insists it was the monarch who assaulted him. “I didn’t offend him in any way. I was going to get food when he saw me and called me over. That’s when the beating started. He said he would kill me and nothing would happen. I want Nigerians to come to my aid,” the elderly man pleaded.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
