Punish Famodun For Disobedience To Executive Order, CHRSJ Tells Adeleke

A human rights organisation, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has pressed for severe punishment against Adegboyega Famodun over alleged flagrant disobedience to Osun State Government Executive Order.

The Executive Order issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke had barred Gboyega Famodun and others from parading themselves as traditional rulers in the state.

The promulgation of the Executive Order by the new administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke was a result of the alleged illegal and unlawful appointment and installation of some traditional rulers including Famodun.

The processes were concluded without following the due process of law guiding such appointment by the immediate past government of Adegboyega Oyetola.

The group stated that the call became imperative following the recent report that Famodun forcefully opened the main entry gate of Owa of Igbajo Palace illegally by beginning to parade himself as the traditional ruler of the ancient town while the State Government Executive Order still subsisted on the subject matter.

While urging the State Government to do the needful by cautioning Famodun through the security agents, the group demanded a takeover of the palace of Owa of Igbajo in ensuring full obedience to the Executive Order of the governor.

This was contained in a petition dated May 16, 2023, and signed by the CHRSJ's Assistant General Secretary, Michael Agassi. 

The petition was also forwarded to Governor Ademola Adeleke and other concerned security agencies in the state and copies were made available to newsmen on Thursday.

The letter maintained that it was grave implications for the society to allow Famodun to disrespect an Executive Order.

It alleged that Famodun was appointed and installed illegally, without following the due process of law and culture of the Igbajo community less than six days before the tenure expiration of the immediate past Government of Adegboyega Oyetola.

"CHRSJ, in its strictest observing of the Executive Order without any ambiguity, is to ensure justice for all stakeholders in respect of Owa of Igbajo stool and also, to respect the rule of law in Suit N0: HIK/10/2021, which was still subsisting as at the time of illegal appointment and installation of Prince Adegboyega Famodun.

"But the recent action of Mr Adegboyega Famodun by forcefully opening the palace of Owa of Igbajo in defiance to Governor Ademola Adeleke's Executive Order (5), was tantamount to poking fingers into the eyes of the rule of law (Constitution) that empowered the Governor of Osun State to enact such law in order to return peace back to the affected communities (including; Igbajo)."

The letter submitted that such an action remained null and void and of no effect again and anyone contravening the Executive Order should be arrested for possible prosecution with imprisonment.