Oba AbdulFatai Akorede Akamo, the Olu of Itori, has declared that he did not order the arrest of any Punch Newspaper correspondent, contrary to a publication report.
The traditional ruler, in a release, broke his silence over the report that he allegedly ordered arrest of the Punch correspondent in his palace.
Oba Akamo stated that he neither ordered the arrest nor requested for detention of the said correspondent.
He however acknowledged the presence of the journalist among his colleagues invited from Abeokuta for the press briefing held on the occasion of his just-concluded 21st anniversary.
The Olu of Itori concluded his coronation anniversary by taking items to the orphanage home and the Nigeria Correctional Centre, both in Abeokuta, Ohun State.
Oba Akamo, narrating what transpired between him and the correspondent, expressed his dismay that such a report was published during his happy mood.
He recalled that the reporter came forward from his seat and knelt before him after the question and answer session of the briefing had been concluded.
“The young man came, knelt before me and said he wanted to ask me a question. I first felt somehow and asked myself why didn’t he ask when his colleagues were asking me questions.
“Well, I asked him to go ahead with his question. Then, he asked about a land matter of which I am not involved. I said to him that I had answered a related question during the briefing.
“He then said he would not leave unless I answer him. That attitude was strange to me coming from a reporter, and it raised a suspicion that he probably had an agenda different from the press briefing.
“I then ignored him and attended to my guests who were waiting for my attention. How he now went to write that I ordered his arrest after I had shifted my attention to other things remains a surprise to me,” Oba Akamo stated.
The traditional ruler said the little knowledge he had observed among his journalist-friends is their adherence to accurate reporting of events.
He pointed out that the allegation the Punch correspondent had published against his person was misleading to the public who were not in his palace during the question and answer session.
“I am aware of the said land but I am not the one who bought it, let alone sending anybody there. I have my landed property elsewhere. Why should anybody link me with this one?
“But I am used to these false allegations anyway. That is the price of holding a public position as this stool.
“I am saying it that I am a friend of the media and shall continue to be their friends. It is just unfortunate that this happened when I was giving thanks to God for witnessing another year on the throne. Anyway, I have moved on,” Oba Akamo concluded.
