News
Chief Imam sues Soun of Ogbomoso, Council over alleged plot to sack him {See Documents}
Published
2 years agoon
Alhaji Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara, the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, has filed a lawsuit against the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, and the Soun In-Council.
The suit, marked HOG/7/2024, is set to be decided at the Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso Division.
The Chief Imam, who assumed his role in November 2021 under the reign of the past Soun, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, alleged that the current monarch and the council are plotting his removal from office. The new Soun, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, was installed in September 2023 by kingmakers led by the Are Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin.
In an affidavit sworn to at the High Court Registry on February 12, Ayilara contended that the defendants, despite their traditional titles, lack the authority to remove him as the Grand Chief Imam.
He asserted that his appointment by the Surah committee of the Muslim Community in Ogbomoso is by Islamic rules and not subject to the control of the traditional council.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Ayilara emphasised that the Grand Chief Imam position is not a chieftaincy or traditional title, and therefore, the traditional council has no jurisdiction over it. He urged the court to intervene and prevent any attempts to oust him from his role, highlighting that the appointment of Imams worldwide is governed by Islamic regulations.
“I say that the central mosque in Ogbomoso land and other mosques and the administration of the mosques is bestowed on the Muslim community headed by Imam, Chief Imam, or Grand Chief Imam which I am one. I know that the appointment of an Imam anywhere in the world is regulated by Islamic rules and tenets as it is not a chieftaincy or hereditary title.
“I also say that the right to appoint Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land is the prerogative of Muslims in the Ogbomoso community and the appointment is done under Islamic rules. I know that based on settled Islamic rules, the Imam is appointed by the entire Muslim members of the community through a committee called the Surah Committee.
“The Surah Committee is a screening committee constituted by Muslim elders/leaders in the Muslim community to make decisions on Muslim affairs which include the appointment of Imams.
“Following the demise of the immediate past Grand Imam of Ogbomoso land, Sheikh Al Aman Yekeen Adegboyega Asafa, sometime in October 2021, the need to appoint a new Grand Chief Imam for Ogbomoso land arose and I was considered suitable for the position of Chief Grand Imam of Ogbomoso land after a screening exercise conducted by Surah Committee led by Alhaji Alimi Surajudeen, the Parakoyi Adini of Ogbomoso land.
“I was appointed the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land in November 2021 and since then, I have been discharging my responsibilities as Grand Chief Imam under Islamic rules and tenets. However, the defendants, particularly the 1″ Defendant who is a Christian, sometime in January 2024, a few months after his installation as the new paramount ruler of Ogbomoso land, threatened to remove me as the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land.
“That the threat of my removal became more pronounced when 1 approached the Honourable Court to restrain the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State from removing or suspending me as the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land and an interim order was granted to that effect”, Ayilara said.
Related
You may like
News
Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn
Published
6 days agoon
April 18, 2026By
Mega IconThe global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.
Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.
However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.
Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.
Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.
Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.
Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.
The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.
Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.
With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.
Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.
Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.
Related
News
Oseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination
Published
1 week agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconA member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.
The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”
The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.
Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”
The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.
The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.
Related
News
Kaduna Electric to prosecute, expose attackers of staff
Published
1 week agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconThe Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.
It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.
The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.
“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.
“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.
He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.
According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.
“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.
The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.
It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.
It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.
The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.
Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.
Related
Advertisement
Entertainment
Adekunle Gold, Simi welcome twins
Ayefele drops new album, Reflections
Reggae Legend, Jimmy Cliff, Dies At 81
Photos: Davido blows $3.7m on lavish Miami white wedding for Chioma
FAAN probes K1 for spilling alcohol on airport officer during boarding
Odunlade Adekola loses father
MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page
MEGAICON TV
Advertisement
Trending
-
News1 week agoOseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Oseni kicks off Oyo South Senate bid, rallies support for one million Tinubu votes
-
Health1 week agoOyo confirms Lassa fever death in Ibadan, activates emergency response, traces contacts
-
Crime & Court1 week agoJoshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial