The Oyo State Government has suspended the Sobaloju of Ofiki, Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju, over alleged violations of the state’s Executive Order 001/2023 regulating mining activities and for purportedly encouraging trespass on government-gazetted assets.
According to the government, the suspension is in the interest of safeguarding public assets and protecting residents from the environmental and security risks associated with unauthorised mining.
In a letter signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olajire A.M., the monarch was accused of issuing consent letters to mining companies without the requisite authorisation.
The letter further alleged that such approvals enabled mining operations within the state government forest reserves and facilitated unauthorised extraction activities.
Consequently, Chief Sobaloju was suspended from the palace of the Onitọ of Ito with effect from Monday, January 5, 2026, pending the conclusion of investigations into the allegations.
The government described the sanction as a precautionary measure designed to preserve the integrity of the investigative process.
The letter, titled “Re: Complaint Against Chief Sobaloju of Ofiki for Violation of State Executive Order, Forest Reserve Regulations and Encouraging Trespassing on Government Gazetted Assets,” stated in part that the monarch was accused of contravening Executive Order 001/2023, which governs mining operations across Oyo State, and of promoting unlawful access to protected government assets.
It added that the allegations include issuing unauthorised consent letters to mining firms, permitting activities within designated forest reserves, and facilitating mining operations outside the framework of state approval.
As part of the suspension conditions, the embattled traditional ruler was directed to desist from all mining-related engagements, including the issuance of consent letters to miners, refrain from interfering with the ongoing investigation, and make himself available to investigators whenever required.
The development underscores the state government’s renewed enforcement of mining regulations amid growing concerns over illegal mining, environmental degradation, and the loss of public revenue in forest and mineral-rich areas of the state.
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