The suspension of the Baale of Ilua in Saki West Local Government Area of the state, Chief Kilani Omofoyewa Ajani, by the Oyo State Government has been linked to alleged economic sabotage activities.
Baale Ajani was suspended by the state government on Wednesday, following what it described as activities causing political strife.
But Goalpoacher News sources have explained that the real reasons behind his suspension are his alleged complicity in signing unlawful consent letters to miners in the Gbepakan community, which has a Baale that should have been responsible for that.
Only recently, the state government suspended the Onido of Ido also over illegal mining activities.
A source who is privy to the Baale Ilua suspension told Goalpoacher News that the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency requested for his suspension citing economic sabotage and causing insecurity in Ilua/Gbepakan Communities.
According to the source, the Baale had been unlawfully signing consent letters to miners in Gbepakan Community, which he is not legally allowed to do, because the community has a substantive Baale.
Under the Minerals and Mining Regulations Act 2007, only the Baale of a host community where solid minerals are found is empowered to sign consent letters to mining companies.
But Baale Ajani, the source noted, denied wrongdoing in a recent response to petitions against him.
One of the petitions, it was learnt, emanated from the Office of the Okere of Saki.
Goalpoacher News also learnt that the Baale was also petitioned by a legal practitioner from Saki, who accused him of unlawful mining activities and other matters.
The source added that the Baale tried to clear his name and absolve himself of all allegations, but that the state government needed to go ahead with the suspension to allow for fair investigation into the matter.
