Here is the press statement from the Oba of Itori in response to a recent story about him online:
The Olu of Itori, His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo, has been a target of deliberate character assassination and unjust treatment by certain individuals posing as human rights activists, both locally and on social media.
In an official statement from the Director of media at Olu of Itori’s Palace, Prince Yomi Gbadebo, it was emphasized that despite the initial decision not to dignify the unfounded accusations with a response, a rebuttal is now being made to inform the public of the truth and prevent the tarnishing of the Oba’s reputation.
It was clarified that DS ADEGBENRO ICT POLYTECHNIC ITORI is an accredited government institution with its own governing council, entirely separate from the affairs of the Olu of Itori’s Palace.
The Palace does not oversee the management and operations of the institution but is open to dialogue and mediation for community matters. Unfortunately, certain parties have unjustly implicated the Olu of Itori in issues solely concerning the Polytechnic in Itori.
Despite the misinformation and media smearing, the Palace swiftly went into action to address the situation and dispel the false allegations aimed at the Oba of Itori. The claims regarding the Olu’s involvement in the arrest and release of an individual connected to the Polytechnic were firmly refuted.
It was emphasized that neither the Palace nor the Olu of Itori had any knowledge or involvement in the alleged arrest or release of individuals related to a missing student or any criminal activities. The appropriate channels, such as reporting to the Nigerian Police, should have been utilized for such criminal cases.
The Palace further declared that the Olu of Itori is unfamiliar with the individuals linked to the alleged incidents and did not advocate for anyone’s release from police custody. The public was urged to dismiss these baseless claims, and evidence to the contrary was invited for scrutiny.
Efforts were made to validate the claims and it was confirmed that the Olu of Itori was not relevant to the matter. Testimonies from involved parties and authorities at DS ADEGBENRO ICT POLYTECHNIC ITORI corroborated this.
The Palace expressed dismay at the unjust and misleading media trial of a revered traditional leader, vowing to set the record straight and uphold the Olu of Itori’s integrity. It was emphasized that the Olu of Itori has never intervened in the admissions process or exerted influence over the school’s operations.
The public was urged to disregard the falsehoods and maintain their confidence in the esteemed Olu of Itori. Furthermore, support was encouraged for the ongoing police investigation into the missing student, with a plea for the truth to prevail and justice to be served.
Finally, the statement reiterated the readiness of the Palace to provide further clarity on the matter, with contact information for the registrar of the institution and the Director of media at Olu of Itori’s Palace being provided for any necessary inquiries.