Olugbon Warns Against Media Attacks, Vows to Let Court Decide Land Dispute

The Olugbon of Orile—Igbon HRM Oba Francis Alao has declared that he will not be dragged into media brickbats with anyone over land matters.

The monarch also warned media organizations against surrendering their platforms for those with inordinate ambition to taint his hard-earned reputation, pointing out its legal consequences.

Oba Alao said one David Oyediran, with whom he is in court over a land matter, is spreading unfounded allegations against him in online newspapers and social media with a view to provoking him and tarnishing his image. He called the attention of online newspaper proprietors to the risk in using their channels to spread unsubstantiated allegations against him and the implication of publishing prejudicial contents.

The monarch in a statement on Wednesday, insisted that he will not descend to Oyediran’s level but assured that he and his co-travellers as well as co-opted media will have their day in court.

Oba Alao re-emphasized that he acquired the said land properly with government issuing him Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O).

The statement read in part: “I will not succumb to provocation and pressure to take prejudicial actions because the case is in court. Instead of him (Oyediran) to wait for the wheel of justice to grind to an end, he has resorted to cyberbullying against me, spreading malicious claims to tarnish my reputation. Thankfully, this criminal act is being investigated by the Force CID. I will not descend to his level. We are in court; and the law will take its course in the matter.
<span;>“I am also aware that he and some others are being sponsored by a monarch to insult me. But I am undeterred.
<span;>“As a responsible first-class monarch in Oyo State, I will never take law into my hands. Therefore, all those joining him in this character assassination venture will have their day in court.