In documents made public by the US Department of Justice and other relevant institutions, it is now evident that indeed Oba Akanbi is an ex-convict who was deported from the US to Nigeria in 1999 after his conviction for aggravated felony – an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both.
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has been facing one of his toughest times on the throne as his subjects have not only turned against him but also demanded his immediate dethronement over various infractions.
In a letter to the Osun State Government dated June 17, 2020, the Association of Iwoland Indigenes in Diaspora through their lawyer, Peter Adeosun, raised a number of allegations against the monarch, calling for his removal for gross abuse of office.
They said Oba Akanbi’s character did not befit the person, status and calibre of a first class Oba in Yoruba land as he always moved around with armed thugs, miscreants and hoodlums to harass, intimidate, molest and attack persons whom he perceives as enemies.
“Your Excellency, it is our brief as evidenced by various correspondences made available to us by our clients that Oluwo Abdulrasheed Akanbi has been conducting himself in manners which are antithetical to that of a monarch in any clime and very unbecoming of a Yoruba Oba.
“It is therefore disheartening to our clients that the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi (hereinafter referred to as Oba Akanbi), a Yoruba king who is supposed to be the custodian of Iwo culture and values has been misrepresenting the interest of Iwoland and the entire Yoruba race and this is becoming rather shameful,” the lawyer wrote to the state governor.
Further, the Oluwo of Iwo stands accu
sed of engaging in illicit activities, including credit card fraud, during his time in Canada. In his defense, he purportedly justified his actions by distinguishing between credit card fraud as theft from banks, contrasting it with ‘yahoo yahoo,’ which involves directly stealing from individuals. Allegations surrounding the Oluwo Oke’s involvement in a credit card scam have emerged, prompting intervention from influential figures, such as High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, to shield the Oluwo from potential consequences.
In an interview with Asabe Afrika tv, Olori Chanel said, ‘Oluwo flaunted exotic cars like the G-wagon and Lamborghini, falsely portraying ownership for the sake of attention. In reality, he is merely a desperate individual seeking validation through superficial displays of wealth’ saying the Oluwo is way much wretched compared to his posts! While residing in the palace, I attempted to buy lace from a woman in Oshogbo. However, it took Oluwo a full two months to complete the payment. This incident highlighted his miserliness and lack of consideration. In a display of his true character, he eventually claimed the lace for himself, showcasing his selfishness and disregard for others.
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