Kwara monarch drags four to court for linking royal family to bandits amid rising insecurity
The Oba of Babanla in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, His Royal Highness Oba Aliyu Alabi Yusuf (Arojojoye II), has filed a case at the Upper Area Court, Ganmo, against four indigenes of the community over alleged defamation and false banditry claims.
The defendants — Mr. Salaudeen Abdulrafiu, Odofin Saheed, Mr. Abdulsalam Abdullateef Olatunji, and Pastor Fatai Folaranmi Ajide — were accused of circulating malicious statements and audio recordings on the Babanla Community WhatsApp platform, which has more than 900 members.
In the petition filed on September 2, 2025, through his counsel, Lambo Akanbi & Co., the monarch alleged that the defendants falsely accused members of the royal family, including Barr. Mufutau Yusuf, Prince M.A. Yusuf, Prince Rasaq Olaribigbe, and Prince Kunle Yusuf, of working as informants and collaborators for bandits.
The Oba described the allegations as “baseless, malicious, and intended to incite violence and hatred against the royal family,” warning that such claims, if left unchecked, could fuel unrest and worsen insecurity in the community.
The complaint listed several offences under the Penal Code Law of Kwara State, including: Criminal defamation (Sections 391–392), disturbance of public peace (Section 113), incitement against the royal family (Section 114), and spreading false allegations.
The case, numbered 110/21905/e5, is expected to come up for hearing at the Upper Area Court, Ganmo, in the coming days.
