The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has removed Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa.
The development was disclosed in a statement personally signed by the Owa on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
According to the monarch, the action followed findings that Gbadamosi had unlawfully removed and sold two electric transformers; a 300KVA and a 500KVA, from the post office at Atakumosa Market in 2023 during the reign of the late Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.
The statement explained that the previous Owa had strongly rebuked Chief Gbadamosi for carting away the transformers without permission from him or the communities the equipment served, namely Araromi, Adeti, Palace, and Odo Osunmu.
“All efforts made by the previous Owa to ensure that Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi returned the transformers were thwarted,” the statement read.
Following his coronation, Oba Clement Haastrup established a Committee on Resolution of Chieftaincy Disputes, Land and Sundry Matters to address issues affecting the communities in Ijesaland.
The committee received a petition from members of the affected communities, accusing Gbadamosi of illegally removing and selling the transformers and he was subsequently invited to appear before the committee to explain his actions.
During the proceedings, the Iyaloja of Atakumosa Market, Chief Mrs Awe, testified that Gbadamosi had sent emissaries to her, asking her to sign a document confirming the sale of the transformers and promising her N750,000 from the proceeds, an offer she said she rejected.
The youth leader of Araromi community also testified that Gbadamosi brought a truck to the market at night to remove the transformers and offered him money, which he declined.
“Under questioning from the committee, Chief Gbadamosi reportedly confessed to selling one of the transformers, the 300KVA unit, for ₦120,000, claiming that he used the proceeds to transport the second transformer to Ibadan for repairs.
“Following his confession, the committee granted Chief Gbadamosi thirty days to retrieve and return the transformers to their original location at the post office,” the statement added.
Findings revealed that he, however, allegedly failed to comply.
The committee then reported his refusal to the Owa Obokun, who gave him an additional one week to recover and return the equipment.
Despite this, Gbadamosi was said to have ignored the royal directive.
“In view of the unlawful and illegal removal, sale and conversion of the proceeds of sale of the two transformers, and an attitude unbecoming of a High Chief in Ijesaland, I have decided to relieve and remove Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa,” Oba Haastrup declared.
The monarch ordered that Gbadamosi cease to be recognised as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa and refrain from parading himself as such.
“He shall immediately vacate the Chieftaincy house, which shall remain under lock and key. Members of the public are hereby informed not to deal with or address Mr Busuyi Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa,” the statement added.
