IWO kingmakers have petitioned Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State to remove their monarch, Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwoland, over his alleged concealed criminal past.
They alleged that Oba Akanbi was convicted in the United States in 1998, and Canada, between 2006 to 2007.
According to the petition, seen by The Point, the alleged concealed criminal past of the monarch disqualifies him from continuing to occupy the stool.
The petition addressed to Governor Oyetola, signed by the kingmakers of Iwo council, and dated September 9, 2020, was titled, “Petition for removal of Oba Adewale Abdulrasheed Akanbi (Oluwo of Iwo) from the throne of Iwo land.”
According to the concerned kingmakers, Oluwo Akanbi concealed his conviction for securities fraud by a United States of America District court – the US District of Massachusetts.
They added that the court convicted him for 15 months imprisonment, and barred him from entering the US for life. He was allegedly deported back to Nigeria after serving the jail term.
The kingmakers also alleged that Oba Akanbi migrated to Canada in the year 2000 and obtained Canadian citizenship where he was again convicted between 2006 and 2007 for another crime.
They said, “however, on the 21st March, 2011 at Peace Bridge Port Entry Buffalo New York, United States, the present Oluwo attempted to enter United States despite being barred for life from entry as a result of 1998 conviction. He was promptly arrested by Custom and Border Protection Officer. A background check was conducted on him which revealed more things.
“He was the driver of the vehicle bearing Nova Scotia licence plate. He provided Canadian passport as proof of identity.
The passport bear his photo and listed his name as Prince Adewale Akanbi.
“The Custom and Border Protection Officer (CBPO), named Fudelia, conducted a CBP Database queries on Oluwo and discovered that Prince Akanbi had criminal conviction in Canada.
“The CBPO conducted biometric fingerprint on Oluwo’s fingerprints. The scoms revealed a positive match under FBI number and other file number. The name associated with those records was Segun Adewale Adeonigbagbe.”
YOU’RE WASTING YOUR TIME, OBA AKANBI FIRES BACK
Oba Akanbi has, however, taunted some kingmakers in the town over their plots to remove him, noting that those involved are wasting their time.
In a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oba Akanbi revealed that most of the kingmakers behind the letter calling for his removal as the Oluwo “were under duress stage managed by an over 40 years serial contestant to the revered stool of Oluwo”.
The statement said, “We want to state categorically that detractors who contested the stool with His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, are making every possible attempt to derail the compassionate Oluwo from the glory his reign has credited to the ancient stool of Iwo. So much good things are happenings to Iwo under TELU. Why must it be him, they thought.
“It’s a conspiracy of a detractor who has been fighting so hard to become the Oluwo of Iwo.The detractor has gone beyond many times to discredit Oba Akanbi and failed serially. The recent was to divide the king makers but dead on arrival. Achievements of Oluwo endeared him to Iwo more. You can’t run down what your children may benefit in the future.
“Oba Akanbi is a king of positive marks. He is a market detractors are trying to de-market. All he was alleged of are not without reason(s). His reign is prosperous, fruitful and virile to the advantage of all and sundry but because someone who has been a serial aspirant wants to be Oluwo by all possible means, he is romancing few individuals to distract Oba Akanbi’s reign. The deaf could hear IWO is moving.
“In the olden days, losers who contested the stool with winners are not allowed to stay in town but things have changed. We will keep managing him. He is my subject.
“From all indications, Iwo is secured economically, security wise. The religious atmosphere, traditional and political deals are peaceful under his majesty. Iwo has never had it so good like this traditionally. The loathe is natural when good things keep coming to town.
“Traditional system is not parliamentary. Oluwo will keep serving humanity. Nothing will discourage the good work. He loves everyone. Together we can achieve better. Detractors romancing my Chiefs should continue wasting their time, Oluwo will keep lifting his subjects.”
