Oyo Govt Announces Ofiki Chief’s Suspension, Says He’s Under Investigation For Allegedly Aiding Illegal Mining
Oyo State Government on Tuesday announced the decision to suspend the Sobaloju of Ofiki, Atisbo Local Government, Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju from his position citing alleged violation of the Executive Order 001/2023 that was issued by the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde.
The state government also accused him of encouraging people to trespass on government gazetted assets.
Governor Seyi Makinde’s Special Assistant on Print Media, Mr Moses Alao, who announced Chief Jacob’s suspension in a statement he issued in Ibadan and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com , cited a letter signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olajire A.M which was titled ‘Re: Complaint Against Chief Sobaloju of Ofiki for Violation of State Executive Order, Forest Reserve Regulations and Encouraging Trespassing of Government Gazetted Assets’.
The statement noted that the decision was taken to protect the interests of the state and its people while accusing Sobaloju of violating the Executive Order 001/2023 and allegedly issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorization, permitting mining activities in the State Government’s reserved forest, and facilitating unauthorized mining operations.
The letter noted that Sobaloju has been suspended from the Palace of the Onito of Ito, effective from Monday, January 5, 2026, pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations.
‘I am directed to refer to the above subject (‘Re: Complaint Against Chief Sobaloju of Ofiki for Violation of State Exectuive Order, Forest Reserve Regulations and Encouraging Trespassing of Government Gazetted Assets’ ) and inform you that you have been accused of violating the State Executive Order 001/2023, which governs mining activities in Oyo State, and of encouraging trespassing on government gazetted assets.
The allegations include issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorization, permitting mining activities in State Government Reserves Forest, and facilitating unauthorized mining operations’.
The state government noted that the chief’s suspension is a precautionary measure taken to ensure the integrity of the investigation while directing him to refrain from all activities that have to do with mining and the issuance of consent letters to miners, to refrain from interfering with the investigation into the allegations against him, and to make himself available for questioning as required by the investigation team-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
