THE Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) quizzed Oyo kingmakers over bribery allegations.
Recall that the stool of the Alaafin of Oyo became vacant after the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in April 2022. However, the new Alaafin has not been named, and the selection process has been embroiled in a crisis.
On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the EFCC summoned Oyo kingmakers following a petition by one of the candidates aspiring to the vacant throne of the Alaafin of Oyo.
Reports identified the kingmakers invited as Basorun of Oyo town, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Agbaakin of Oyo town, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda; Samu of Oyo town, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale; Lagunna of Oyo town, High Wakilu Oyedepo; and Akinniku of Oyo town.
It was gathered that the petitioner alleged that the kingmakers collected bribes running into millions of naira to favour a particular candidate, hence the decision of EFCC to summon the kingmakers for questioning.
Reports further revealed, however, that only Oloye Agbaakin and Oloye Samu honoured the EFCC invitation, while Basorun, Lagunna, and Akinniku were said to be absent.
Those present were said to be accompanied by their lawyers and were asked to write a statement in defence of the allegation as stated in the petition before they were released.
