Oyo State Government has wielded the big stick, suspending the Sobaloju of Ofiki, Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju, for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities.
He was alleged to have violated the State Executive Order 001/2023 governing mining activities in the state and for encouraging trespassing on government gazetted assets.
The government noted in a release by Moses Alao, the Special Assistant (Print Media) to the Governor, that the decision was taken to protect the interest of Oyo State and its people.
The Ofiki chief, according to a letter signed by the Director, Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Olajire A.M., was accused of violating the said order.
He was also allegedly issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorisation, permitting mining activities in state government reserved forest and facilitating unauthorised mining operations.
The letter indicated that Chief Sobaloju has been suspended from the Palace of the Onito of Ito, effective from Monday, 5 January, 2026, pending the outcome of investigation into the allegations.
It was, however, stated in the letter that the suspension of the Ofiki chief was a precautionary measure to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
The letter was titled “Re: Complaint against Chief Sobaloju of Ofiki for violation of State Executive Order, Forest Reserve Regulations And Encouraging Trespassing Of Government Gazetted Assets.”
It read: “I am directed to refer to the above subject and inform you that you have been accused of violating the State Executive Order 001/2023, which governs mining activities in Oyo State, and of encouraging trespassing on government gazetted assets.
“The allegations include issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorisation, permitting mining activities in State Government Reserves Forest, and facilitating unauthorised mining operations.”
The embattled Ofiki chief was directed to refrain from all activities related to mining and issuance of consent letters to miners.
He was further directed to refrain from interfering with the investigation into the allegations against him and to make himself available for questioning, as required by the investigating team.
