ABEOKUTA – Oba Fatai Akamo, the Olu of Itori in Ogun State’s Ewekoro Local Government Area, instructed police on Tuesday to arrest and detain Bankole Taiwo, a correspondent for PUNCH newspapers, after the journalist asked about a trending video.
The video features Sanni Babatunde Akeem, a physically challenged individual, who accused the monarch and Oba Kayode Sodimu of land-grabbing.
In the video, Akeem, who uses crutches, claimed that he was attacked by thugs allegedly hired by Oba Akamo and Sodimu, resulting in violence against his workers and the use of heavy machinery to clear his farmland.
“I am Sanni Babatunde Akeem,” he stated in the four-minute clip. “My workers called me to inform me that around 40 thugs and a caterpillar had invaded my farmland… They claimed to be acting on behalf of the Olu of Itori and Oba Kayode Sodimu. They beat my workers and tore their clothes when they tried to document what was happening.”
Akeem also recounted, “They assaulted me and ripped my clothes, despite the fact that I have been managing this land since 2014 for various farming activities, including fish ponds, piggery, and poultry. This is a blatant attempt to cheat me. I urge the Ogun State Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and our governmental representatives to assist me.”
At a press conference promoting the 21st coronation anniversary of Oba Akamo, Taiwo took the initiative to inquire about the ongoing controversy surrounding the video. The monarch initially began to address the issue but became enraged when asked about the involvement of the other monarch mentioned.
Eyewitness reports indicate that Oba Akamo shouted, “What do you mean? This boy was sent here. Police, arrest him and take him to your station.”
Despite pleas from other journalists for leniency, the Oba maintained his demand for the arrest.
Once at the police station, four minutes later, officers received a call from the palace instructing them to bring Taiwo back. Upon his return, the police returned his confiscated phone but ordered him to delete all recordings made at the palace.
