Bribery Allegation Over Alaafin’s Selection: EFCC Operatives Quiz Oyo Kingmakers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Wednesday, quizzed Oyo kingmakers over bribery allegations.

The PUNCH had reported that the stool of the Alaafin of Oyo became vacant after the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in April last year.

More than a year, a new Alaafin has not been named, and the selection process has been embroiled in a crisis.

Our correspondent learnt on Wednesday that the EFCC summoned Oyo kingmakers following a petition by one of the candidates aspiring to the vacant throne of Alaafin of Oyo.

A credible source in the anti-graft identified the kingmakers invited as Basorun of Oyo town, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Agbaakin of Oyo town, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda; Samu of Oyo town, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale; Lagunna of Oyo town, High Wakilu Oyedepo; and Akinniku of Oyo town.

It was gathered that the petitioner alleged that the kingmakers collected bribes running into millions of naira to favour a particular candidate, hence the decision of EFCC to summon the kingmakers for questioning.

Investigations further revealed, however, that only Oloye Agbaakin and Oloye Samu honoured the EFCC invitation while Basorun, Lagunna and Akinniku were said to be absent.

Those present were said to be accompanied by their lawyers and were asked to write a statement in defence of the allegation as stated in the petition before they were released.

As of press time, details of their defence were not known.

When contacted on the phone, High Chief Oyewale confirmed the invitation by the EFCC office but declined further comments.

He only said, “Yes, we were invited. We have gone and come back.”

Efforts to reach Basorun, Lagunna and Akinniku, through their mobile numbers, proved abortive as they were not reachable.

Also, efforts to reach the Ibadan Zonal Public Relations Officer of the EFCC were not successful.

The kingmakers have been factionalised in the choice of the next Alaafin.

Credit: punchng.com