The Olu of Owode in Obafemi/Owode Local Government of Ogun State, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, has confirmed his suspension for abusing naira notes.
According to the monarch, while speaking to Newsmen on Saturday, his suspension, which began with immediate effect on Friday, would last for two months, and he would not receive any salary during the suspension period.
Sowemimo also revealed that his suspension was announced during the traditional rulers’ meeting that was held on Friday.
According to him, they explained to him that his suspension was because of the way he decorated a popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, with knitted new notes of N1,000.
The monarch also revealed that he totally accepted the punishment and would never allow any of such to happen again.
In his own words, “They said the suspension was due to the way I spent money on one musician. And when I was asked if I had anything to say, I stood up and apologised for whatever I had done wrong and the suspension which was earlier announced to be for three months without salaries was reduced to two months.
“I totally accept the verdict of the council because it is the person that we love that we chastise, so I am good with the decision.”
News About Nigeria reports that a viral video that was shared in early January this year showed the monarch decorating the Fuji musician, Ayinde, with knitted new notes of N1,000, which were used as a garland to decorate the musician.
The video has since sparked reactions, even from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which issued a strict warning to the monarch for abusing the naira notes during his 13th anniversary of ascension to the royal stool.
NOA also stated that such a display, which is an abuse of the national currency, attracts imprisonment, fines, or both.
In line with that, at the Egba Traditional Council meeting, which was chaired by the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, yesterday, the monarchs, in a joint resolution, suspended Sowemimo for abusing naira notes.
