September 10, (THEWILL) – The Alawo of Awo in Ekiti State, Oba Abdulazeez Olaleye, has been accused of withholding the salaries of palace chiefs who opposed his enthronement. The chiefs, it was gathered, even went to court at a point to challenge his emergence.
Oba Olaleye was chosen by Ayodele Fayose before his tenure ended a few years ago, but his appointment was opposed by some chiefs who insisted that he is not an indigene of the town. The chiefs further insisted that no traditional rites were performed before Oba Olaleye was enthroned, which was why he could not live in the palace since he was crowned. An Ekiti High Court ordered the removal of the traditional ruler but he filed an appeal at the Appeal Court before he was reinstated.
After his reinstatement, Oba Olaleye decided to withhold the salaries of the chiefs who opposed his appointment as a monarch. He used some chiefs who were loyal to him to victimise and stop the salaries of those opposing his selection and enthronement. The chiefs’ salaries were withheld for a period of four years. In response, they wrote a petition to the Ekiti State Government against the traditional ruler.
A peace meeting was held at the instance of the state government, with the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, in attendance, to resolve the dispute. Defending himself, Oba Olaleye revealed that the chiefs neglected their duties which was why their salaries were withheld. The deputy governor accused him of embezzlement and ordered him to refund the money to the affected chiefs.
