The Oyo State Government has suspended the Sobaloju of Ofiki, Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju, over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities and violation of state regulations governing the sector.
The suspension, which takes effect from Monday, January 5, 2026, was conveyed in a letter signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Olajire A.M.
According to the state government, the action was taken to protect the interest of Oyo State and its people, following allegations that the traditional ruler violated Executive Order 001/2023, which regulates mining activities in the state, and encouraged trespassing on government gazetted assets.
The letter accused Chief Sobaloju of issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorisation, permitting mining activities within the State Government’s reserved forest and facilitating unauthorised mining operations.
It further stated that the monarch has been suspended from the palace of the Onito of Ito pending the outcome of investigations into the allegations, describing the move as a precautionary measure to ensure the integrity of the investigative process.
Titled “Re: Complaint against Chief Sobaloju of Ofiki for violation of State Executive Order, Forest Reserve Regulations and encouraging trespassing of government gazetted assets,” the letter reiterated the allegations and warned the embattled chief against actions that could compromise the probe.
The government directed Chief Sobaloju to immediately refrain from all mining-related activities, including the issuance of consent letters to miners, to avoid interfering with the investigation and to make himself available for questioning whenever required by the investigating team.
