By Happiness Edeawe
A traditional ruler in Ogun State, Nigeria, has been arraigned in court for assaulting a 73-year-old man.
Semiu Adewale Ogunjobi, the suspended Olorile of Orile Ifo, was charged with conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The incident was captured in a viral video, which showed Ogunjobi physically assaulting the elderly man, Elder Abraham Areola. The traditional ruler accused Areola of being a betrayer and cursed him severely.
When Areola told Ogunjobi that he was being killed, the ruler threatened to bury him without a trace if he died during the torture.Ogunjobi initially denied being the person in the video but later confessed to the crime at the Ogun State police command headquarters.
He was granted bail on liberal terms of N5 million with two sureties in the like sum. The case has been adjourned to March 6 for a hearing.
This incident has raised concerns about the behaviour of traditional rulers and the need for them to respect the rights and dignity of their subjects. The Ogun State government has suspended Ogunjobi, and the case is being closely monitored by human rights organizations.
