Ekiti State govt warns against violation of chieftaincy laws

Says violators risk three years jail term

Ekiti State Government has warned that any chief installed in flagrant violation of the law risks three years imprisonment, saying recurrent incidences of chieftaincy tussles are threatening peaceful co-existence among residents.

This was part of the recommendations by an eight-man reconciliatory committee set up by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, to mediate in the chieftaincy crisis between the Olomuo of Omuo-Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin and Alahan of Ahan-Ayegunle, Oba Durojaye Jegede, in Ekiti East Local Council of the state.

The committee is chaired by Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Abayomi Opeyemi.

Alahan, whose community was carved out of Omuo-Ekiti and became autonomous, had in November 2022 petitioned the state government on the installation of another Alahan by Olomuo as a member of his council, which the monarch described as replication plot targeted at belittling and debasing his stool.

The committee, as part of the terms of reference, was also empowered to fashion out recommendations through which the communal face-off could be nipped in the bud.

Meanwhile, as contained in the report submitted to the deputy governor, yesterday, the Olomuo was barred from duplicating the Alahan title in his domain, saying undertaking such would be tantamount to breach of Section 12(2)(b) of the state Chiefs Law.

The committee, however, advised that the title of Alahan bestowed on one Chief Lawal Okunola should be changed to another nomenclature for peace to reign.

It also recommended that Alahan should limit his jurisdiction to Ahan-Ayegunle Ekiti and stop superintending over the people of Ahan quarters in Omuo-Ekiti,

Afuye, while receiving the report, said that the recommendations were far-reaching and had the potential to halt the lingering crisis between the two communities.

She said: “I am assuring you on behalf of the state government that we will act on the recommendations raised in the report.

“I want to appreciate the committee for working speedily on the task before them and coming up with the workable report on how to settle the dispute.”