Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has sent a delegation to Cotonou, the Republic of Benin, to observe court proceedings in the case involving a self-styled activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho.
Adela Oloko, the personal assistant and director of media and publicity to the Olubadan, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan.
Mr Oloko quoted the royal father as stating this in his palace while exchanging views with leaders of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), led by the President-General, Yemisi Adeaga.
The Oba, who did not disclose the identity of members of the delegation, said they would be in the court in Cotonou on Monday to observe Mr Igboho’s trial.
He said the step taken had become necessary in order to assure those who had been besieging his palace, including protesters, that he was not folding his arms over the travails of Igboho and his aides.
“Sunday Igboho lives in Ibadan, got married in Ibadan, reared his children in Ibadan, built houses in Ibadan and, as such, he has the rights to be protected by Ibadan traditional institution within the ambit of the law, just like any other resident of the city,” he said.
Mr Adetunji, who said he was in constant touch with other traditional rulers in Yoruba land, including the Igboho royal crowns, allayed the fears of a repeat of the Yoruba-Fulani collision of 1814.
He, however, urged people to remain calm and be law-abiding, stressing that truth would prevail.
