Against the backdrop of the growing anxiety over the frosty relationship between the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye and the Grand Chief Imam of the Community, Alhaji Teliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara, a document has emerged that the monarch had earlier banned the cleric from palace activities even before he went on pligrimage to Mecca.
The directive comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings between the two parties.
A letter dated February 14, 2024, from the Soun of Ogbomosoland, addressed to the Chief Imam, explicitly states that the Chief Imam should stay away from palace affairs until the court resolves the ongoing case. The letter reads, “Sequel to the case you instituted in the court of law against me and Soun-in-council, you are hereby notified that you should refrain from Ogbomoso Palace services and activities till court resolution.”
The Soun emphasized that this distance is expected to contribute to lasting peace. “I believe and understand that distance during this period will bring a lasting peace. I hope you will respect my decision and do as directed,” the letter continues.
This directive appears to contradict recent narratives in the media, where it was claimed that the Chief Imam did not inform the Soun before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The release of this letter now suggests that the Soun had, in fact, taken steps to restrict the Chief Imam’s access to the palace prior to the pilgrimage.
The unfolding situation adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between the Soun and the Chief Imam, with the community closely watching for further developments in the legal case and the impact on palace dynamics.
The letter concludes with a call for understanding and cooperation from the Chief Imam: “Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”
