The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, has deposed Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of two community-owned electricity transformers.
In a statement personally signed by the monarch at the weekend, Oba Haastrup said the decision followed Gbadamosi’s unlawful role in the removal of a 300KVA and 500KVA transformer from Atakumosa Market Post Office in 2023.
The late Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, had reportedly rebuked him for the act before his passing.
The monarch explained that efforts made by his predecessor to recover the equipment for the affected communities of Araromi, Adeti, Palace and Odo Osunmu failed.
Upon ascending the throne, Oba Haastrup constituted a Committee on the Resolution of Chieftaincy Disputes, Land and Sundry Matters, which investigated a petition filed by the communities.
During its sittings, the Iyaloja of Atakumosa Market alleged that Gbadamosi offered her ₦750,000 to endorse the purported sale of the transformers, while the Araromi Youth Leader disclosed that the chief moved the equipment out of the market at night with a hiab truck.
When summoned before the committee, Gbadamosi admitted selling the 300KVA transformer for ₦120,000 and claimed he took the 500KVA unit to Ibadan for repairs.
Despite being given several deadlines by the monarch to return them, he failed to do so.
Condemning his conduct as “illegal and unbecoming,” Oba Haastrup announced that Gbadamosi had been stripped of his title.
“Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi shall henceforth cease to be referred to as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa,” the statement read. “He should vacate the chieftaincy house, which shall remain locked, and the public is hereby warned not to address him by the title.”