- Several traditional rulers from the Southwest region of Nigeria have faced corruption-related allegations, including the recently indicted Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede
- Allegations ranged from wire fraud to money laundering and fraudulent real estate investment scheme
- TheRadar compiled some of the traditional leaders who have been involved in corruption-related allegations below
In the wake of the indictment of Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Osun State, by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, several other traditional leaders from the Southwest have also been involved in corruption-related allegations.
Oloyede’s case, where he was accused of fraudulently obtaining over $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds under the United States Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, has drawn widespread attention.
TheRadar compiled other notable traditional leaders from the Southwest who were also involved in corruption-related allegations below:
Yoruba monarchs involved in corruption allegations
1. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Osun State)
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, faced allegations regarding real estate fraud involving his companies. The royal figure was connected to a scam that involved the fraudulent allocation of non-existent apartments and land to hundreds of investors.
2. Oba Akin Adeyemo (Ekiti State)
Oba Akin Adeyemo, the traditional ruler of a community in Ekiti State, found himself in the spotlight after he was arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, along with Chief Samuel Fayigbe. The two were charged with conspiracy, stealing, forgery, and fraudulently converting over Two Million Naira that belonged to minor Chiefs of Odo-Ora Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area.
3. Oba Obateru Akinruntan (Ondo State)
Oba Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo in Ondo State was linked to investigations involving financial misconduct. The royal figure came under scrutiny after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly questioned him about suspected money laundering activities.
4. Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi (Osun State)
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, was involved in a forgery case. Mr Adeoye, the Oluwo-Oke of Iwo-Oke, filed a legal complaint, accusing Akanbi of internet fraud, among other offences.
He also claimed that the monarch forged his signature to secure travel documents for a trip to the United States, where Akanbi was arrested, imprisoned in New York City, and later deported to Nigeria in 2000.
Mamman, Melaye, 3 other Nigerian politicians who have collapsed in face of corruption allegations
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that collapsing in the face of law by politicians was quite a trend in Nigeria.
According to the report, ex-minister of Power, Saleh Mamman joined the club by collapsing during his arraignment for an alleged N33 billion fraud.