By Ahmed Ajikobi and Kayode Adeoti
The Seriki N’ Driver of Ilorin, Alhaji Solihu Olarongbe has denied the allegation levelled against him that he received acres of land and huge sum of money as bribe in order to make case for conferment of chieftaincy title on one Ismaila Adebayo Ayelade of Maya village, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.
It was gathered that Ayelade was one of the three aspirants for the stool of Alangua of Maya village of Ile Apa, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin area, following the passing of Alhaji Kuranga Ajao, the 9th Alangua of the community.
Ayelade alleged that Seriki N’ Driver collected about N750,000, two acres of land and another three plots of land at Maya village to support him in his quest to become the Alangua of his community.
Ayelade had last week through a letter written by his counsel, Surajudeen Tijani, requested that Olarongbe should within seven daysreturn all he allegedly collected from his client or face litigation.
Responding, last weekend, Alhaji Olarongbe described the allegations of him collecting bait from anyone for the title of Alangua Maya as false and an attempt to tarnish his image and the title he holds in Ilorin.
He said he never met Ayelade until he was introduced to him by one Abdulquadri Shuaib whose father is a friend to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.
“Shuaib brought him to my house that he was seeking for the position of Alangua of Maya. I told him that I don’t know him that we already have two aspirants on ground for the same stool but if he is from royal family and entitled to the stool, he should go to Seriki Gambari of Ilorin to write his name among those vying for the post before forwarding same to the Emir.
“I never collected any land from him when he sought my support for the stool. He sent his friend Abdulqadir Shuaib to me to inform me that I have been given a portion of land but I rejected it and told him that his friend has not been announced as the Alangua.
“He (Ayelade) also personally came to my house sometimes last year and he said he wanted to give me three plots of land and I told him I was never going to accept such gift. He however said he was not offering me the gift as bribe for the position but from the button of his heart adding that I should not tell his friend (Abdulqadir).
“He gave me the Deed of Transfer which I signed and gave to my driver. He checked it and discovered that the document I signed does not have seal sticker. Immediately I called him and I told him that there was error in the document. He told me that he will take it back to court for rectification and he never returned it to me and I never bothered to ask because he forced it on me.”
On how Ayelade lost out of the title to Saadu Akanji Ayelade, Seriki N’ Driver said, “In February, 2018, after the Emir had provided all materials needed for the turban ceremony of the Alangua, he summoned me, Seriki Gambari, members of Maya community and the three aspirants to the palace.
“It was there at the palace that the Emir asked the aspirants why they desired the position.
“Ismaila Ayelade in his response said, it has been long that his family tasted the position and he was asked whether he knew his co-applicants but he denied knowing them.
“Another aspirant, Oloyede who was 65-years-old man was also asked same question and he denied knowing his colleagues.
“For Saadu Ayelade, he said this was his third shot at the position lamenting that he has failed twice in his effort to emerge. The Emir then asked whether he knew his co-applicants and he replied that they are members of his community adding that they are one big family.
“The Emir challenged both Oloyede and Ismaila on their insincerity and for that he concluded they are not worthy of being installed hence he subsequently announced Saadu Ayelade as the Alangua of Maya village on 22, February 2018.”
Meanwhile, this medium on Tuesday gathered that the Kwara State Police Command has terminated the case between Seriki N’ Driver, Alhaji Solihu Olarongbe and Ayelade.
This was disclosed by the counsel to the palace chief, AbdulAmeen Sulu Gambari in a telephone interview with our reporter.
He said, “They called the two parties to settle the issue amicably and the police asked Ayelade what he really wanted.
“The complainant said he needed all his land documents and money back but Seriki N’ Driver responded that he collected no documents nor money from him.
Abdulquadri however admitted that Seriki N’ Driver rejected all the ‘gifts’ but he failed to return them to Ayelade. The friend was rebuked by the police for causing disaffection between the two parties.
“Abdulquadri however admitted to return the sum of N720,000 by paying N100, 000 every month and the last as N120,000 to complete the payment.”
When contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, Aminu Pai Saleh said the report has not been presented to him adding that he can’t say anything on the matter.
“I delegated one of my Assistant Commissioner of Police to investigate the case and am awaiting the report.”
