Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Omolola was first arraigned in May on a three count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of banned drugs and attempt to export banned substances to Saudi Arabia. She was arraigned alongside Lagos socialite, Mrs. Funmilola Ogbuaya, popularly known in social circles as Ariket. Both of them had pleaded not guilty. However at the resumed hearing of the case, Omolola changed her plea in an amended five counts of the charge.
Omolara's
lawyer, King Wilson, informed the court of her intention to change her
plea, particularly, on count four of the charge, which bothered on
attempt to export 1.595 kilograms of Cocaine to Saudi Arabia. Her
request was granted by the trial judge, Justice Rabiu-Shagari, who
ordered the charge be read to her again.
After
the amended charge was read, the convict pleaded guilty, and the
prosecutor urged the court to pronounce her guilty as charged, and to
permit him to review the facts of the case against her and to tender
exhibits she was arrested with. Attempt by the convict’s lawyer, Mr.
Wilson to convince the court to suspend pronouncement on her sentence
failed, as the prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim urged the court to go ahead and
pronounce the sentence.
After
listening to the arguments from both counsels, the presiding judge,
Justice Rabiu-Shagari said, “I have listened carefully of the
defendant’s counsel, it’s true that sentence is not for punitive but
reformatory and to serve as deterrent to others. Consequently, the
convict is hereby sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, starting from when
she was first arrested.”
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