Ogun moves to establish chieftaincy tribunal

Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Olajide Ojuko, has emphasised the importance of establishing a chieftaincy tribunal to resolve chieftaincy related disputes.

Chief Ojuko made the remark during the visit of the House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as part of its oversight functions to the ministry in Oke-Mosan.

The commissioner said the incumbent administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun would not rest on its oars at repositioning the State Traditional Council for better performance and grass roots development as it plays a key role in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the state.

He pointed out that the intention of the government was to ensure accelerated hearing of chieftaincy cases so that development could spread across the communities in the state, disclosing that due to many years of court proceedings, many towns and communities were yet to install either chief or baale.

“As a result of court proceedings which lasted for years, many communities lost out in the scheme of development, but with the establishment of a chieftaincy tribunal, matters affecting the traditional institutions would not only receive accelerated hearing, but will also be gazetted,” Ojuko said.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Chairman, Honourable Olusola Sonuga, commended the ministry for living up to its statutory responsibilities at ensuring adequate supervision and monitoring of activities of the 20 local government areas of the state.

He also urged the ministry to step up its human capacity development drive by organising seminars and workshops for workers of the councils to enable them tackle the various challenges in the sector.

He, however, promised to speed up hearing of the Chieftaincy Tribunal Bill when it is presented to the House of Assembly for approval.