Nigeria Content Online

Security has been
beefed up in Akure metropolis to discourage some youth who plan to
invade the Deji of Akure’s palace, police sources said at the weekend.

The state police
command had alerted the public, last Thursday, that some ‘disgruntled
elements’ are planning to capitalise on the crisis between the Deji of
Akure, Oluwadare Adesina, and his estranged wife, Bolanle, to disturb
the peace.

But a top police
source in the state also explained that more security men were posted
around the palace to prevent Mr. Adesina from escaping arrest.

Sources said a
recent order which came in from police headquarters, Abuja, has
directed that the monarch be arrested and prosecuted for allegedly
beating up his wife in public. The officers are however, waiting to
receive detailed instructions about the modalities to use in carrying
this out.

Security
operatives, largely consisting of men of the mobile police force, were
seen in large numbers moving around the palace. A source hinted that
the heavy presence of police was a result of the full scale
investigation being carried out by the state police command for which
the state police commissioner, Magaji Nasarawa, had already received an
interim report. The spokesperson of the state command, Adeniran Aremu,
said Mr. Nasarawa had set up a high powered investigation into the
matter, with a view to getting to the root of the matter.

“The case was purely a criminal case, and not a domestic affair. as being claimed in some quarters,” Mr. Aremu said.

Last Sunday, Mr.
Adesina engaged himself in a public brawl with one of his wives,
Bolanle Adesina, in her private residence along Hospital Road, Akure.
The king had earlier sent the woman out of the palace, following a
disagreement with her.

Harsh decision

The ensuing
quarrel eventually degenerated into a full blown crisis as the youth in
the area damaged the Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV] brought to the scene
by the king, while his wife also suffered serious bodily harm.

The monarch has
largely refused to comment on the incident, although sources said he
blamed his actions on the woman, whom he accused of being unfaithful,
among other offences.

The state council
of Obas, under the chairmanship of the Olowo of Owo, Folagbade
Olateru-Olagbegi, suspended the monarch from further participating in
the council’s meetings till further notice.

Mr. Adesina however, said the decision of his colleagues was harsh, adding that they can not remove him as Deji of Akure.