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Osun State House of Assembly has warned commercial banks in the state, Osogbo branch, not to honour unauthorised financial instructions on local government accounts.

Speaker of the House, Honourable Adewale Egbedun, who dropped the warning via a letter, drew attention to unlawful financial directives allegedly issued in some local governments, including Boluwaduro Local Government, authorising deductions of up to 15 percent of September 2025 allocations in favour of private individuals.

He described such actions as illegal, unconstitutional and without any budgetary approval, stressing that treasurers are not legally recognised signatories to local government accounts under extant laws.

The House reaffirmed that only the local government chairman and the Director of Administration and General Services, both officers of the Local Government Service Commission are empowered to operate such accounts in line with the Osun State Guidelines on Local Government Administration and the Public Financial Management Law, 2020.

Citing its resolution of September 29, 2025, the assembly reiterated that no withdrawals or deductions may be made from local government accounts without strict compliance with the constitution, internal regulations and approved budgets. It further warned that any financial institution processing unauthorised instructions would be deemed complicit in financial misconduct in violation of multiple national anti-corruption laws, including the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and would face the weight of the law.

The speaker cautioned that erring banks risk severe consequences, including summons before the House, arrest warrants and referrals to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.

The letter reads:’ I write with reference to our earlier letter dated September 29, 2025, by which the assembly, pursuant to its oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), demanded disclosure of all local government accounts domiciled with your bank.’

‘This House has been made aware that certain local government areas in the state, including but not limited to Boluwaduro Local Government, have issued financial instructions authorising deductions from their accounts in favour of private parties. One such instance is the instruction to deduct 15 percent of funds received in September 2025, allegedly authorised by the local government’s treasurer and chairman.’

‘ Apart from the fact that such an expenditure is illegal and does not conform with the provisions of internal regulations, it is equally not provided for in the 2025 approved budget of the local governments.’

‘ Let it be stated for record purposes that the treasurer is not a legally recognised signatory under the extant Osun State laws governing the operation of local government accounts. Specifically, Section 14 of the Guidelines for the Administration of Local Government stipulates that only persons listed by the assembly resolution, which stipulates that only the local government chairman, Director of Administration and General Services, as officers under the employment of the Local Government Service Commission, are authorised to operate such accounts.

‘These provisions are further supported by the Osun State Public Financial Management Law, 2020.

‘Furthermore, the resolution of this House passed on Monday, September 29, 2025, affirms that no withdrawals or deductions may be made from local government accounts without compliance with the Constitution, the Guidelines and the Financial Management Law.

‘The said resolution also declared that any bank which processes instructions issued by unauthorised persons shall be deemed to have aided and abetted financial misconduct in violation of the Constitution, the Criminal Code Act, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act.

‘Accordingly, you are hereby formally warned not to honour any instruction, verbal, written or electronic authorising disbursement, deduction or diversion of public funds from any local government account domiciled in your bank unless such instruction originates from the legally authorised signatories and is supported by express budgetary provision approved by the House.

‘Any transaction in breach of this position shall attract the constitutional and legal consequences, including summons before the House, the issuance of warrants of arrest and referrals to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution. Your institution will also stand the risk of blacklisting and recommendation for withdrawal of the privilege to operate government accounts.

‘You are reminded that your response to our initial request remains due within the 24-hour timeframe already communicated.

‘This matter is of public interest and must be treated with the utmost urgency and seriousness it deserves’, it said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state, on Thursday, told members of the union to disregard the sponsored story of a particular political party that said leadership of the union has directed its workers to resume work.

The union’s chairman, Dr Nathaniel Kehinde Ogungbangbe, in a statement made available by Mr David Olalekan Owoeye, the state publicity secretary in Osogbo, said the claim was to cause commotion and disorganise the well – informed NULGE members in the state.

‘The union is using this medium to inform our well-respected members to know that such information did not emanate from the elected NULGE executives under the leadership of Dr Ogungbangbe and there is no directive of such from the national body of our union under the leadership of Haruna Aliyu Kankara.

‘It was authored to destabilise the peace of the state through which our members could be massacred and reduce our membership strength.’

Therefore, the union is urging all members to see the write-up as the handiwork of the killers of destiny which needed to be jettisoned and stay away from office until further directive from the real elected state NULGE executives in the state.

‘It is equally pertinent to note that NULGE has not directed our members to resume work.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has urged Nigerians to unite against perpetrators of what he described as blood guzzlers and enemies of the state, following the recent killings of Yoruba natives by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Oke Ode in Kwara.

This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Oyo by the media aide to Oba Owoade, Bode Durojaiye.

The Alaafin, who noted that Yorubas and Fulanis had lived harmoniously for decades without hostility, expressed concern over the recurring violence linked to herders in Oke-Ode.

He disclosed that he had already reached out to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, on the matter and on possible measures to forestall further attacks.

The Alaafin, while commending security agencies for their commitment, urged the Federal Government to ensure that those responsible for the killings are identified and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.

He said ‘Government, political leaders and followers must have the courage and honesty to get to the root causes of our insecurity, now worsened by criminality, insurgency and terrorism by herdsmen,

‘Security should not be taken for granted. Immediate and conscious efforts must be made to design and build a robust system capable of creating a stable and peaceful environment for national development.’

Alaafin further stressed that his forebears had made land available for cattle ranching in the Oyo Empire, even providing additional acres for Fulani herdsmen free of charge to foster unity.

He added that disputes between farmers and herders were traditionally resolved through dialogue, consensus-building, and peace mechanisms entrenched in Yoruba culture.

He, however, warned against actions that threaten peace and stability, assuring residents of his continued commitment to the protection of lives and property across the region.

IF anyone still doubts where the audacity of the criminals who prowl the Nigerian landscape comes from, they need not look further than the official failure to make them pay for the crimes. Apparently, armed robbers, kidnappers and terrorists of all hues are having a swell time at the expense of defenseless, hapless Nigerians, scoffing at the authority of the Nigerian State and daring the powers that be to do their worst. To be sure, arrests take place, and a few criminals end up behind bars, but the majority of the criminals have apparently seen no reason to back-track from their evil trade. They are laying a siege to communities, farmlands, roads and, indeed, virtually any space available, giving law-abiding citizens an endless nightmare. Indeed, they seem to be intent on proving the point that no citizen is beyond their reach, and that anyone who manages to escape from them at any point in time has only just postponed the evil day. This is the thought that comes to mind as you ponder the case of the kidnappers who recently shot a victim in Delta State for, of all reasons, having an ‘insufficient’ account balance!

According to reports, operatives of the Delta State Police Command arrested the three suspected kidnappers after they had collected N2 million ransom from their victim and still shot him. The suspects identified as Chukwuebuka Nka (25), Uche Okechukwu, and Somto Chukwuma, allegedly shot the victim in the leg after discovering that he did not have ‘enough money’ in his account. The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said that the suspects were arrested following a distress call that indicated that a young man had been kidnapped from his residence in Ogwashi-Uku. According to the police spokesman, the operatives tracked the suspects to a bush in Ogwashi-Uku, where the victim was rescued with a gunshot wound. Investigations led to the arrest of Chukwuebuka Nka and Uche Okechukwu in Anambra State, where the victim’s white Toyota Venza was also recovered. Thereafter, based on the suspects’ confessions, operatives raided the outlaws’ hideout in Agidiase village, Ogwashi-uku, and arrested the third suspect. The suspects then led the police to their hideout, where their operational vehicle and a network jammer circuit device were also recovered.

If anything, this story shows the depth of the depravity of the criminal mind. Why shoot someone from whom you had already seized N2m and an SUV to boot? Which money did the criminals who complained of the victim’s financial limitation keep in his account? There is in fact a distinct possibility that the money in question does not even belong to the victim. Artisans frequently receive money meant to purchase materials needed to complete clients’ jobs in their accounts and in any case, even if the money in this case actually belonged to the victim, it is certainly clear that he did not intend it to be seized by criminals, as they turned out to do in this case. In a country where the minimum wage is N70,000, it says a lot that kidnappers who found N2 million in a victim’s account could still complain that the money was insufficient, and then proceed to shoot the victim, apparently with intent to finish him off. To these criminals, the victim, never mind the fact that he rode a Toyota SUV, had the audacity to be poor, and must pay for his poverty. No country that means to make meaningful progress allows criminals to subject law-abiding citizens to such harrowing experiences. Government exists, and collects tax, for the primary purpose of ensuring that citizens are safe and secure.

Of course, this Delta kidnapping case, like the many others that innocent Nigerians confront on a daily basis, boils down to governmental failure. Over the years, and particularly in recent years, the Nigerian government has failed to protect citizens. Politicians have put the people’s lives in peril while living atrociously luxurious lives with their money, and they are apparently set in their ways because, like in the case of the criminals who lay the land waste, there are hardly any consequences for their actions in office. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a prominent journalist, recently lost her life while trying to escape from the robbers who invaded her residence. So many citizens have lost their lives in such harrowing circumstances that highlight the dysfunctionality of the Nigerian state.

The Delta kidnapping victim is fortunate to be alive, but many citizens have lost their lives in such circumstances, and their voices will never be heard again, except symbolically. The government is duty-bound to ensure that the criminals who subject law-abiding citizens to agony are fished out and punished to the fullest extent allowed by law. Leaving law-abiding citizens at the mercy of criminals makes utter mockery of the law. It sends the dangerous signal that crime actually does pay, and that those who abide by the law are wasting their time. We urge the government to bear this point in mind and make crime unattractive even to criminals.

At the historic Mapo Hall in the heart of Ibadan, on Friday, September 26, 2025, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja received the staff and instruments of office as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The event was witnessed by an impressive crowd comprising President Bola Tinubu, the high, the mighty Nigerians and non-Nigerians. It was an event that re-emphasised the uniqueness of the Ibadan monarchy and the global citizenship of Oba Rashidi Ladoja. Soji Ajibola, Busola Oworu, and Olawale Olaniyan capture the scenes as they unfold.

Events leading to the eventual coronation of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the Arusa 1, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, had all the trappings of greatness and exclusivity woven around them. There was a week-long activity announced by the Chief Bayo Oyero-led planning committee, put together by the Oyo State government. But long before the activities were announced by the committee, the picture that you see on the streets, within the interior and exteriors of Ibadan was that of a city in celebratory mood. The entire Ibadan had been formed into a committee, putting in place all of the this and that that made the coronation a special spectacle to behold. From within Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and even to those in the diaspora, Ibadan has a monarch, in Ladoja, whose fame transcends this shore.

Though the city had to mourn the passing of the 43rd Olubadan Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, the Ige Olakulehin 1, who passed on July 7, 2025, the mourning period soon turned to celebration, in fulfillment of the agelong moniker of the Ibadan people as Omo Agbotikuyo. The 21 days of mourning would also respect the wishes and tradition of the Ibadan people, as it witnessed the movement of the king’s traditional drummers from the Olakulehin compound to Ladoja’s Arusa family house, in Isale Osi, in the interior of today’s Ibadan. Incidentally, the demise of Oba Olakulehin came at a time Oba Ladoja was outside Ibadan town. He was in Lagos when the announcement was made by the state government. So, Oba Ladoja had to hold forth in Lagos till the 21 days passed. The city wore more glowing look as the Oba returned to his land, and from that period, it was celebration and preparation for more celebrations. It all came to a head on September 26, the day chosen by the state government for the official coronation of the 44th Olubadan. It was a day after his 81st birthday, a confirmation of what the Yoruba would describe as celebration falling upon celebration.

The coronation process

The one-week celebration, which climaxed with the presentation of the ancient crown to Oba Ladoja, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former governor of Oyo State, now Ibadan monarch, was not limited to the Mapo Hall. There were activities in different corners of the town, even as the different families with historic links to the throne and Ibadanland took their turns to pay traditional homage to the Olubadan in his Bodija home. The first coronation lecture, with the topic: ‘Ibadan history: Issues in Tradition and Modernity,’ was delivered by Prof Toyin Falola, a renowned professor of African Studies, who currently chairs the Jacob and Sanger Mossiker Chair in Humanities at the University of Texas, Austin, United States. He told the gathering that the personality of Oba Ladoja, who is a successful businessman and former politician, would bring development to Ibadan by improving its economic condition. Chairman of the coronation committee, Chief Bayo Oyero, also said that the lecture wasn’t a mere academic exercise, but a critical dialogue and a moment of introspection which would serve as a source of guidance for the new Olubadan.

There were events in the different corners of the city as the Mogajis (family heads) and Baales held Owambe functions for their family members. Ibadan indigenes and their friends travelled from far and near to witness the unprecedented events because of the pedigree of Oba Ladoja, who had been elected Senator and governor of the state. Attendance at the events was not limited to Ibadan indigenes alone, as Nigerians of all walks of life arrived in Ibadan from Kano, Abuja, and Lagos, and outside the country to take part in the historical coronation.

There were musical performances in the various parts of the city. Fuji musician, Taye Currency held sway at Mapo Hall on the coronation day, while other Fuji artists, Tiri Leather, Rashidi Ayinde popularly known as Merenge, Abass Akande Obesere all took their audiences to the peak of enjoyment at different locations where they performed. Aside from the musical performances, D-Day came with all the thrills, the frills, anxiety, and relaxation. There was concern about crowd control as news filtered into town that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a long-standing friend of Oba Ladoja, would witness the ceremony. The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) issued traffic advisories to residents well ahead of the coronation date. It spelled out roads that would be closed before the event and movement schedules towards the Mapo Hall. Security operatives had full control of the presidential routes from late on Thursday as everything was set for the coronation ceremony.

The operatives, including officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, the local vigilante, and hunters, took strategic positions in line with the design of their duties. Some men of the Army had a difficult time preventing the influx of street boys from Bere and Idi-Arere from entering the venue. Nevertheless, the entire space was effectively manned as those with valid tags to enter the venue were subjected to a thorough security screening. Aside from the traffic advisory issued by the traffic management authority, several neighbourhood markets were closed, while traffic restrictions affected Oja’ba, Orita-merin, Ayeye, Bode, and others. This allowed the traders, artisans, and other categories of people to partake in the programme.

The Traditional Rites

Before D-Day, Oba Ladoja had entered confinement, traditionally set for Yoruba rulers to receive some lessons about the throne and partake in some rites. The coronation proper started with the arrival of Oba Ladoja at the Ile Labosinde (the Afobaje compound) in Oja’ba, Ibadan. The compound is just a stone’s throw from the historic Mapo Hall, where the open event usually takes place. At Ile Labosinde, Oba Ladoja partook of the traditional rites led by the Oluwo Afobaje Labosinde. The monarch had arrived at the venue in a white Rolls-Royce and was accompanied by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, his immediate and extended family, and other well-wishers. He acknowledged cheers from the crowd and proceeded to the business of the day. Kabiyesi Ladoja later proceeded to Osemeji shrine, where the worshippers of Ifa Divinity, led by Abore of Ibadanland, were awaiting his arrival. The Abore, clad in a white regalia, marched on traditional mats in line with the tradition, as he is forbidden to march on the ground barefoot on his way to the shrine that is directly opposite Labosinde Afobaje’s compound.

The monarch was asked by the Oluwo to open a traditional calabash, which was discovered to be filled with honey, and the crowd yelled in admiration. He was also asked to prostrate to the people for the last time, and he did. Yoruba Obas are not allowed to prostrate for anybody after receiving the crown. The Oluwo of Ibadanland then decorated the new monarch with Akoko leaves and the ancient traditional beaded crown, otherwise known as Ade Isenbaye.

Shouts of K-a-b-i-y-e-s-i ooo rented the air as the ancient crown landed on Oba Ladoja’s head. Those who have witnessed coronations in the past said that the moment had been critical for monarchs in the past and that many of Ladoja’s predecessors had to take moments to catch their breath immediately after the ancient crown lands on their head for the first time. It was said that many took time to regain composure before they could continue with rituals. Oba Ladoja was lucky. He remained his true self and was able to continue the other activities without a break. The traditional drummers complemented every second with beats that speak not only to the origin of the city of warriors, but to the genealogy of Ladoja as a son of the Arusa family in the ancient city.

Mapo Hall, the venue of the event, was filled to the brim as the people had started arriving at the venue as early as 6 am to await the arrival of the new monarch, Governor Seyi Makinde, and President Tinubu. Many who discussed in groups described Ladoja as the true ‘Koseleri Kabiyesi’ (never seen before king), as a result of the political positions he earlier held, having been elected the Senator representing Oyo South and governor of the state.

Arrival at Mapo Hall

After the necessary traditional rites had been carried out on Kabiyesi, he proceeded to Mapo Hall, where the guests had been awaiting his arrival for the official presentation of the staff and Instruments of office by the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde. Ladoja received a loud ovation as he arrived at Mapo Hall. And he proceeded to his seat. As the crowd awaited Governor Makinde and President Tinubu, musical interludes were provided by Taiye Currency, the Fuji Act. At exactly 2.45 pm, the long convoy that conveyed the president, the governor, and other government functionaries arrived at the venue to cheers and admiration of the gathering.

Governor Makinde speaks

‘The excitement everywhere in this city today shows that we must uphold our tradition. I want to say that all challenges associated with Ibadan traditional institutions are now over and behind us,’ he said, apparently referring to the rancour that preceded the inauguration of the 42nd and 43rd Olubadan. He added: ‘What this means is that the tradition, the succession, and process are now sacrosanct. We know everything about that succession.’

The governor spoke further: ‘Today, history was literally made. The president landed at the Ibadan Airport with the first wide-bodied aircraft ever to land at the Ibadan Airport. This shows that the era of Oba Ladoja has begun to witness positive developments. I want to congratulate Kabiyesi and to say that his reign shall be peaceful, bring progress and development to Ibadanland.’ The governor, who claimed that he had assumed a new status of Omooba, declared that history had already been made with the enthronement of Oba Ladoja as the first wide-bodied aircraft landed at the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola airport, Ibadan, for the first time.

Oba Ladoja’s acceptance speech

In his acceptance speech, Oba Ladoja said he was grateful to God for keeping him alive to get to the top of the chieftaincy ladder. He also recognised the roles played by the late Chief MKO Abiola, whom he said was present during his inauguration as Mogaji, and the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, whom he said was instrumental to his climbing the ladder as Jagun Olubadan. He equally told President Tinubu that the people of Ibadan had asked him to demand the creation of Ibadan State, while he even thanked the president in anticipation of the actualisation.

He told the gathering: ‘This staff of office that the governor, our son in whom we are well-pleased, has presented to me is a source of joy to all Ibadan sons and daughters. One year ago, some people thought Ibadan would scatter, but Ibadan has a way of settling its matters, and we are here today in unity and oneness.

‘I appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Oyo State Government, and the Coronation Committee for this event. I also appreciate the Olubadan-in-Council; they all supported me. They are the kingmakers, and if they had not agreed to my nomination, I could not be here today. I am assuring the people of Ibadan that since God spared me till today, I will serve them, and I will do it with all my powers. There is nothing else I am looking for in life. Yesterday, I clocked 81. Some people do not have this privilege. So, I recognise that the fact that God spared me till date, what remains is to serve every resident of Ibadan, serve Oyo State, serve Yorubaland, serve Nigeria and Africa, to the best of my ability.’

President Tinubu, who also extolled Oba Ladoja as a successful businessman and a lucky monarch, said that he was happy to see him climb the ladder to the topmost, adding that the monarch was a pro-democracy fighter who stood firm during the fight against military autocracy. Tinubu said that it was a great honour for him to witness Ladoja’s coronation as Oba while he served as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The president, who described Oba Ladoja as a resilient and reliable person, took time to reminisce on their days in the aborted Third Republic Senate, as well as recall the monarch’s battles during his impeachment as governor of Oyo State in 2006, and his comeback story. He prayed that God should grant the new Olubadan long life and success, so that he would be celebrated as one of the rare gems to ascend the throne.