Ibadan – The Oyo State Government has suspended the Sobaloju of Ofiki, Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju, for allegedly violating the State’s Executive Order 001/2023, which governs mining activities and for encouraging trespassing on government gazetted assets.
It noted that the decision was taken to protect the interest of Oyo State and its people.
Chief Sobaloju, according to a letter by the Director, Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Olajire A.M., was accused of violating the order as well as allegedly issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorisation, permitting mining activities in state government’s reserved forest and facilitating unauthorised mining operations.
The letter indicated that Chief Sobaloju has been suspended from the palace of the Onito of Ito effective from Monday, January 5, 2026, pending the outcome of investigation into the allegations, adding that his suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
