King Maker, Oluwo In Trouble For Crowning Muritala As Oba Of Ikeja Without Governor’s Consent

MICHAEL AKINOLA

A kingmaker and Oluwo of Ikejaland, Mureni Illo, has landed in trouble after he reportedly crowned Tajudeen Muritala a.k.a Tajudeen Muritala Asooja as the new Olu of Ikeja Land without the consent of the Lagos State Governor.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Oluwo Illo has been arrested for his action.

Mureni Illo and others now at large had earlier claimed that Asooja was the most qualified and the rightful person to become the traditional ruler for the Ikeja community and they went ahead to install him as king. 

However, when the information got to the Lagos State Government, the matter was reported to the Police and Illo was arrested and subsequently detained at the Police Station for interrogation over his illegal conduct.

During interrogation, he stated that it was one of the ruling families that agreed to install Asooja as king and they did not inform the Government before they did so.

The Police found him culpable and subsequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for conspiracy and falsely installing Asooja as king without the approval of the Lagos State Governor.

When he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty. 

The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, A O. Layinka, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and ordered his remand in custody pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned till 22nd March, 2022, for mention.

It will be recalled that the stool has been vacant for about nine years now after the demise of the former occupier. Since then, the three ruling families were said to have been fighting over the stool until recently when Tajudeen Muritala was installed without the Governor’s approval.