The Olu of Owode in Obafemi/Owode Local Government of Ogun State, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, has been suspended by the Egba Traditional Council headed by the Alake of Egbaland for allegedly abusing the naira notes.
In a viral video, Oba Sowemimo was seen allegedly abusing the naira while spraying popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde at a party.
A letter was written to the monarch by the National Orientation Agency, (NOA) after the video became viral, telling him his actions could earn him imprisonment.
The Egba traditional council on Friday, announced the suspension of the monarch for publicly degrading Nigerian currency, an offence which contravenes the law of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The council suspended the monarch for two months without salary.
The meeting in a joint resolution adopted the suspension of the monarch following the recommendation of its Ethical Committee which declared that during the period of his (Sowemimo) suspension, he should not parade himself as a traditional ruler.
Oba Sowemimo was said to have been told not to be invited or seen at any government or public function as a traditional ruler, and for three months should not receive any payments
The Olowu of Owu who is the chairman of the committee chairman said findings revealed that the embattled traditional ruler was seen holding strewn Naira as a bead and hung onto the neck of a musician in public.
The chairman added that a lot of public condemnation of the act inundated the council with derisive comments on the traditional institution, stressing that the said Oba’s action is in contradiction of Section 21(1) of Central Bank Act, 2007.
Oba Sowemimo while confirming the suspension said “The suspension was announced during our meeting yesterday (Friday), they said the suspension was due to the way I spent money on one musician.
“And when I was asked if I had anything to say, I stood up and apologized for whatever I have done wrong and the suspension which was earlier announced to be for three months without salaries was reduced to two months. I totally accept the verdict of the council because it is the person that we love that we chastise, so I am good with the decision”.
