Traditional ruler faces two-month pay freeze and public event ban for showering musician with currency.
The Olu of Owode in Obafemi/Owode Local Government of Ogun State, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, has been suspended for two months without salaries by the Egba Traditional Council over allegations of mishandling naira notes.
During a traditional rulers meeting, the suspension was confirmed by Oba Sowemimo himself, who acknowledged spending money on a musician in a manner deemed inappropriate by the council. Originally slated for a three-month suspension without pay, it was reduced to two months after his apology.
A viral video showed Oba Sowemimo adorning a popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, with N1,000 notes, prompting the council's action for publicly degrading Nigerian currency, a violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria's regulations.
At the February statutory meeting of the Egba Traditional Council chaired by Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Oba Sowemimo was formally suspended and prohibited from attending government or public functions as a traditional ruler for the duration of his suspension, along with a cessation of payments for three months.
Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Oba Saka Matemilola, cited the breach of Yoruba traditional institution ethics and the defacement of Nigeria’s currency as grounds for the decision, referring to Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.
Previously, the National Orientation Agency had warned Oba Sowemimo against abusing naira notes during his 13th anniversary celebration, citing legal repercussions such as imprisonment or fines.
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