Lagos monarch allegedly punched, injured leader and alleged disrespect

Please share this story:

Pandemonium has broken out in the Ajido community in the Badagry region of Lagos State after the traditional leader of the community, Saheed Adamson, allegedly beat up one of its high chiefs , Michael Kunnuji, during an argument.

PUNCH Metro figured out that Oba Adamson punched Kunnuji, who was also his second-in-command, during an altercation at the palace.

Our correspondent has learned that some youths threatened to destroy the king's property during the incident.

However, the intervention of police officers from the Badagry division prevented them from carrying out their threat.

The police allegedly refused to make an arrest even after Kunnuji filed a complaint at the police station.

A police officer would have directed the great chief to the general hospital of Badagry, where he was treated.

A medical report from the hospital, which was obtained by our correspondent, indicates that an inspector Amina Bara referred Kunnuji to the hospital.

The report claimed that although Kunnuji was conscious when he was brought to the hospital, he was in pain and bleeding from an injury to the upper part of his eyes.

The Grand Chief, who spoke to our correspondent, said he was assaulted by the monarch when he visited him after his return from Jerusalem.

Kunnuji explained that a crisis started between him and the monarch when he bought a transformer for the community, a project the king did not support.

He said: "On September 30, 2022, I went to meet the monarch alongside the bishop who came to give thanks for the anniversary of my coronation. When I arrived there , I greeted him in our Egun dialect, saying, "Hail, Your Highness. "Then he started shouting in public, saying, 'See him, look at the way he greets me. " < /p>

"He told me I was stupid and I also replied that he was stupid. Before I knew it, he hit me in the face with a ring and blood started to flow. I didn't fight back; I just left his palace with my bloody face.

"Me and my lawyer, who was present at the scene, went to Badagry police station to report the assault on my person. After writing a statement, the police said that 'they couldn't stop him because he was a king.

"I am filing a complaint of assault against him; I have employed the services of legal professionals and will ensure that this matter is pursued and justice is obtained."

Kunnuji's lawyer, Ganiyu Adeola, said he was taking steps to see justice done.

He said, "We know that no one is above the law. If an Oba has committed a criminal offense, he should be dealt with accordingly."

When contacted, the monarch neither confirmed nor denied the allegations against him.

Adamson, however, said the Grand Chief could go to court.

He said, "Let him go to court, what's your own problem?" You are not a journalist? Why are you asking me such a question? Why can't you advise him to go to court? Is this the job of a journalist?"

He whistled and cut the call.

Badagry Police Station DPO, SP Peter Gbesu, has denied the allegation that officers could not arrest or summon the monarch.

He declined further comment and referred our correspondent to the State Police spokesperson.

State Police Public Relations Officer SP Benjamin Hundeyin promised to confirm and get back.

After several days of attempts to get comment, Hundeyin told our correspondent not to bother him, saying he could not be forced to respond to the incident.

When our correspondent pressed further, stressing the need to respond to allegations of police involvement in the case, the police spokesperson promised to return.

He had not yet done so at the time of filing this report, as calls made to his line were not answered, while text messages were not answered .