Ekiti chief allegedly paraded round town for stealing

A chief, Ilesanmi Olorigbo, from Aita quarters of Ilupeju-Ekiti, in the Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has been reportedly nabbed for allegedly stealing a mobile phone.

It was gathered that the chief was allegedly paraded round the town and forced to commence a hard labour of digging a deep well inside the community market.

It was learnt that the incident took place on Sunday when some youths in the community were tipped off that a missing mobile phone was with him.

The matter was reported at the palace of Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oba Olaleye Oniyelu, where palace guards were sent to get Olorigbo.

“On getting to the palace, the Olorigbo was promptly searched and the missing phone was found inside his pocket. Apparently, he was caught unawares as he did not know what the Kabiyesi wanted from him,” a source said.

Another resident of the town, who witnessed the incident, but pleaded not to be named, said, “The Olorigbo has started digging a well inside a market in Ilupeju to atone for his crime. The well must bring crystal clear water or else, his punishment won’t be complete. This will serve as a deterrent to other thieves in the community.”

But Oba Oniyelu denied that Olorigbo was paraded round the town for the alleged theft.

The monarch, in a telephone chat, said he was in a hospital when Olorigbo was brought to the palace and that the matter was reported to the police by his wife.

He said, “When the matter was brought to the palace, I was in the hospital and the matter was taken to the police station and I don’t know what really happened. I don’t know whether he was paraded round the town, but I will find out.

“Olorigbo calls himself a chief, he used to perform rituals and he is the leader of those praying at one of the shrines; and anybody whose hand is not clean cannot go there. The adherents of the deity said he will be removed. That is what I know.

“The matter was reported to the palace. It was my wife that called the police.”

The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, confirmed that Olorigbo had been arrested for the alleged offence and would be charged to court.

He, however, added that he was unaware that he was paraded round the town.