The Council of Isolo traditional chiefs has stoutly defended the choice of the new Osolo, Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi Shekoni amidst recent campaign of calumny and online circulation of videos portraying him as a felon.
The chiefs passed the vote of confidence on the new monarch on Monday April 7 during the ninth-day coronation ceremony held at the new palace in Isolo, Lagos.
This is coming on the heels of a viral video in which the then Prince Abiodun Shekoni was handcuffed by police detectives over a land dispute.
In separate interviews, the chiefs debunked rumours suggesting Oba Shekoni is a criminal not worthy of the exalted throne of Isolo.
Speaking on the viral video, Chief Yahaya Lawal Arowooye, the Agbaakin of Isolo, who incidentally was a contestant to the Osolo throne said the allegation is baseless and unfounded.
According to him, the allegation is the handwork of detractors who are bent on tarnishing the name and integrity of Oba Shekoni.
“We have not installed a criminal as being speculated because Oba Shekoni is a man of integrity and impeccable character,” Arowooye said.
He explained further, “What happened is purely a land dispute within the Ojo Orisadeko Asalu Elemo Royal Family at Ajao Estate. As we speak, no court has pronounced him guilty of such allegation. Hence, it remains in the realm of mere speculation. We all know the overzealous nature of the police sometimes. Those behind the video are only out to tarnish his image and I expect the state government to call those behind it for questioning.
“For us in Isolo, we have installed our new king with the consent and approval of the state government. Detractors only want to destabilize the smooth succession to the Osolo throne. But thank God Isolo is a non-violence community and we are moving on.”
In his submission, the Lisa of Isolo, High Chief Akibu Aregbe said, ”the allegation is pure nonsense. Our new king is not a criminal. For those involved in land matters, this is no big deal because disputes over land matters is a normal occurrence. We have installed a new king and we have all accepted him because the crowd that daily thronged his palace since his installation attest to his acceptability.
“Those behind the video do not love Isolo. If 15 people contested for the throne, only one person would eventually emerge and Oba Shekoni is the chosen one. What I expect from other contestant is for them to rally round the new king to move the town forward if they truly love Isolo. But character assassination is not desirable for our town, this time around.”
Also speaking on the matter, Isolo Regent, Chief Wasiu Arowooye, who incidentally was also a contestant to the throne thanked God and Isolo deities for the smooth transition.
“Since Oba Shekoni’s emergence as the new Osolo, we have all cooperated with him especially me because we all promised to cooperate with whoever emerges as the new king because all we wanted is for the progress and development of Isolo.
“The rumour making the round is not true because there is no rancour in Isolo. I therefore implore other contestants to join hands with the new king to move Isolo forward.”
For Chief Kazeem Ewedairo, the Ajiroba of Isolo, Oba Shekoni was crowned legally by the state government at the state Secretariat, Alausa.
Ewedairo said “He (Oba Shekoni) is not a hooligan as portrayed. He is eminently qualified to ascend the throne because he is from a royal family like other contestants. The photos and the videos are sponsored to tarnish his image. We know those behind it and their intentions.
“Why would the police handcuffed a suspect and record him on video only to post the video on the internet if they are not part of the conspiracy. That is what baffles us. We know what steps to take on the matter but we were being restrained by the interventions of some people in the matter.”
On Friday March 28, 2025, Oba Faronbi Shekoni became the new monarch of the ancient Awori town following his crowning and installation by the state government in a ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Alausa Secretariat, Lagos.
