The Ekiti State Government has placed the Elepe of Epe Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area, Oba Williams Adesoye, on probation and watch list following sustained agitations by members of his community demanding his removal over alleged unruly behaviour and high-handedness.
The decision was reached on Friday when the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, led a delegation of government officials and stakeholders to a peace meeting held at the palace of the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, to address the lingering crisis between the monarch and his subjects.
Oba Adesoye has been embroiled in a prolonged dispute with community elites and youths, a situation that reportedly led to his eviction from the palace over allegations of tyranny and authoritarian conduct.
Speaking during the meeting, Afuye appealed to the aggrieved youths to give the monarch a second chance, stressing that the priority of the Biodun Oyebanji administration is peace and development. She warned that continued unrest could hinder ongoing development projects in the area, including road construction.
Following a closed-door session, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti announced that Oba Adesoye would be restrained from entering the palace pending the resolution of the matter. He added that the monarch would be placed on probation, required to sign an undertaking to be of good conduct, while internal mechanisms would be put in place to resolve the crisis.
Oba Adewole urged the community to temper justice with mercy, noting that the government and traditional authorities would closely monitor the monarch during the probation period in expectation of improved conduct.
Earlier, the traditional ruler cautioned the youths against taking laws into their hands, explaining that the removal of a monarch can only occur through death, insubordination addressed by government, or a court ruling. He emphasized that Oba Adesoye’s deposition could not be effected without due process.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Ojo Atibioke, warned that unrest in any of Ekiti’s component towns could escalate and negatively affect development efforts across the state.
Representing the Epe Ekiti community, the National Chairman of the Epe Progressive Union, Prince Adebowale Alabi, said the agitation was driven by concerns over the monarch’s alleged disrespect for traditions and customs, adding that placing him on a watch list would help regulate his conduct.
