News

No judgment stops curfew during Oro festival in Iseyin – Counsels

By Web News 1430

Oro worshippers say contrary to the position of the League of Imam and Alfas in Iseyin, no court judgment has prohibited the imposition of curfew during its festival.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan jointly signed by counsels to the respondents following the judgment in a case instituted by Alfa Yusuf Muhyideen for himself and on behalf of the League of Imams and Alfas, Iseyin against late Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba AbdulGaniy Salaudeen and 16 Oro worshippers. 

The counsels are Chief Matthew Adeoye, Mr Adewale Adegoke, Mr Taiwo Aworinde and Mr Olatunji Adeoti.

The statement notes that the submission by the League of Imam and Alfas that the consent judgment abrogated curfew during Oro festival in Iseyin is clearly reading into the judgment what is not there and could be tantamount to belittling the ruling of the court.

“Our attention has been drawn to the report circulating on social and mainstream media, of a news conference organised by the League of Imams and Alfas in Iseyin Local Government area of Oyo State on Thursday, 11th August 2022, during which it was reported that the organisers of the event, which was allegedly held in Ibadan, Oyo State, said something to the effect that the judgment of the court in Suit No. HSY/MISC. 6/ 2019 had prohibited the imposition of curfew during Oro Festival in Iseyin, Oyo State.”

“The regrettable aspect of the news conference organised by the League of Imams and Alfas is that the applicants’ counsel in the two cases referred to above, Mr A. A. Olowonjaye, who should know the import of the judgment and the extent to which his clients could use it, was himself also at the conference and encouraged the propaganda that certain Oro rites had been abolished by the judgment.”

“The insinuation at the conference by the League of Imams and Alfas, and their counsel, Mr Olowonjaye, that it had “become illegal for Oro worshippers to declare curfew for their festival as such would negate the ruling of the court” is grossly misconceived and not borne out of the judgment as they could only speak for the applicant and those he represented in the suit and not anybody else”.

“The crux of the news conference to the effect that the consent judgment earlier mentioned has abrogated curfew during Oro festival in Iseyin is clearly reading into the judgment what is not there, and will constitute a willful derogation from it”.

The counsels explained that while it is a fact that the imposition of curfew by Oro faithful is a prominent feature of the festival, only the applicant, and, by extension, the League of Imams and Alfas whom he represented in court, could claim protection under the judgment and not the generality of the people in the town.

“While it is conceded that the imposition of curfew by Oro faithful is a prominent feature of the festival, only the Applicant, and, by extension, the League of Imams and Alfas whom he represented in court, could claim protection under the judgment and not anybody else.”

The statement notes that “it is necessary to make this rejoinder in order to put things in proper perspective and douse the tension generated by the report that curfew has been abolished during Oro festival in Iseyin”. 

“We consider it necessary to make this rejoinder in order to put things in proper perspective and douse the tension which the report has generated in Iseyin and its environs”.

The counsels noted that after about three years of contentious litigation, parties were advised to settle amicably and they all embraced the advice in good faith and dialogued, which led to the judgment on the 30th of June that neither the applicant nor the respondents shall disturb, harass, intimidate, attack or do any act calculated to disturb, harass, intimidate or attack either party in the exercise of their religious beliefs.

“The dialogue led to the filing of a Terms of Settlement dated 29th June 2022 and filed the same date, but adopted by the respective counsel and made a judgment of the court in the suit on the 30th June 2022.”

The statement emphasizes that among the deducible from the judgment is that it is not a win-all situation for either of the parties in the suit as the consent judgment imposed rights and obligations on both parties.

“That the Applicant represented only the League of Imams and Alfas in Iseyin and no other place, and the judgment is therefore binding on parties to it only; and that the judgment prohibits both parties from infringing or curtailing the religious rights of each other.”

Ridwan Fasasi

Subscribe to our Telegram channel

Culture

Aseyin-in Council Picks September 12th To Commence Oro Festival, Celebrates Olubadan

By Web News 1068

The monarch also congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Soliu Adetunji, on the celebration of his 93rd birthday anniversary, describing the king as harbinger of modern development.

In a statement signed by the Aseyin after the meeting with the traditional council and the Oro priests on Thursday at his palace, the festival, which comprised of three special days for prayers, appeasements and sacrifices the first day, which the evening of Sunday 12th of September, the evening of ‘Ije Day’ ,Seventh Day, Saturday 18th September and the evening of ‘Itadogun Day’ ,Fifteenth Day, 28th September, 2021.

The significance of the three days are notable in the sacrifices meant for the progress of the twin and the dwellers, while women are not permitted to see the Oro masquerades.

Aseyin called on the Oyo State Government, the security agencies and sons and daughters of the community to cooperate with the Aseyin-in-council to make the year 2021 Oro festival a success.

Meanwhile, Oba Ajinese has prayed for the Olubadan of Ibadan to witness more successful years on the throne, as he attributed the reign of the incumbent monarch in the capital city as enduring and prosperous.

“The reign of Oba Soliu Adetunji is commendable and worthy of praying for, as an Oba, the city of Ibadan has witnessed many development and peaceful atmosphere, which are direct effects of his uncommon leadership style.

“I pray that he lives more to witness more progress of the city of Ibadan and its environ, as well as Oyo State in general.”

Aseyin also called on the people of Oyo State to continue to give their support to the present administration in the State, as according to him, the government has made governance so easy for the common people to understand.

Oba Dr. Adekunle ascribed the success achieved by the Seyi Makinde-led administration to the bottom-up government style, which he said has endeared many citizens to the governor and made workers his friends.

“This governor has shown us that governance is not abracadabra, he has made it known to even fellow politicians that Oyo State has what it takes to lead other States of the federation in the area of free and qualitative education, affordable healthcare services, infrastructural development, which include the concluded Moniya-Iseyin road, the recently approved Iseyin-Ogbomoso road, the Iseyin-Oyo road and the establishment of the College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Resources of LAUTECH in Iseyin.

“We are indeed grateful to the government of Governor Makinde and on behalf of my people, I assure him of our cooperation and support for the government’s policies, actions and programmes,” Aseyin assured.

Kayode Banjo

Religion

Islamic Leaders In Ogun Express Worry Of “Oro” Festival Curfew

By Web News 604

Islamic leaders in Ogun State have cautioned against impending religious crisis over the proposed imposition of daylight curfew by Oro traditionalists in Ipokia Town of Ipokia Local Government Area.

The religious leaders under the umbrella of League of Imams and Alfas in the state in a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewunmi.

They expressed concerns over the violation of rights of Muslim faithful by the Oro traditionalists during their festivals.

The Islamic body called for the intervention of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on the possible infringement of rights by the Oro adherents.

The league of Imams and Alfas also called for peaceful coexistence among all religious adherents and leaders, noting that various faiths should recognise and respect the rights of the others. 

Wale Oluokun