Ogun Monarch Suspended Over Naira Abuse

The Egba Traditional Council headed by the Alake of Egbaland has suspended the Olu of Owode in Obafemi/Owode Local Government of Ogun State, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo for allegedly abusing the Naira.

In a widely circulated video, Oba Sowemimo is depicted purportedly mishandling the Nigerian currency while showering popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, widely known as KWAM 1, with money at an event.

The footage shows the monarch weaving together N1,000 notes to create a lengthy rope, which he then drapes around KWAM 1's neck.

Last month, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) addressed a letter to the embattled monarch, cautioning him that his actions could potentially lead to imprisonment.

Subsequently, on Friday, the Egba traditional council declared the suspension of the monarch for what was deemed as publicly denigrating the Nigerian currency, an act that runs counter to the regulations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The council imposed a two-month suspension without salary on the monarch based on a joint resolution, which followed the recommendation of its Ethical Committee. The committee stressed that during this suspension period, Oba Sowemimo must refrain from representing himself as a traditional ruler.

The resolution explicitly stated that Oba Sowemimo should neither be invited to nor attend any government or public functions as a traditional ruler, and he should not receive any payments for three months.

Chairing the three-member Ethical Committee of the Egba Traditional Council, Oba Saka Matemilola, who also holds the title of Olowu of Owu, read out the committee's report. He explained that the decision to suspend the monarch was made after scrutinizing the viral video, where Oba Sowemimo purportedly violated the ethics of Yoruba traditional institutions by mishandling Nigeria’s currency.

The chairman emphasized that the act had drawn significant public condemnation, inundating the council with disparaging remarks about the traditional institution. He underscored that Oba Sowemimo's actions contradicted Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

Oba Sowemimo acknowledged his suspension, stating, "The suspension was announced during our meeting yesterday (Friday). They said the suspension was due to the way I spent money on one musician. And when I was asked if I had anything to say, I stood up and apologized for whatever I have done wrong. The suspension, which was initially announced to be for three months without salaries, was reduced to two months. I totally accept the verdict of the council because it is the person that we love that we chastise, so I am good with the decision."