The Sobaloju of Ofiki, Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju, in the Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State has been suspended by the state government for allegedly violating the state’s Executive Order 001/2023.
The Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Print Media, Moses Alao, who made this disclosure through a statement issued on Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 in Ibadan, the state capital,, noted that the decision was taken to protect the interest of the state and its people, just at it also added that Sobaloju was suspended for encouraging trespassing on government gazetted assets.
The letter titled, ‘Re: Complaint Against Chief Sobaloju of Ofiki for Violation of State Executive Order, Forest Reserve Regulations and Encouraging Trespassing of Government Gazetted Assets’ was signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olajire A.M.
The government further accused Sobaloju of issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorisation, permitting mining activities in the state hovernment’s reserved forest, and facilitating unauthorised mining operations.
The letter added that Sobaloju has been suspended from the Palace of the Onito of Ito, effective Monday, 5 January, 2026, pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations. It added that his suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
