Contrary to ongoing rumours, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has challenged the accuracy of reports linking his visit to Kuje prison to the embattled former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, spokesperson Moses Olafare conveyed that Oba Ogunwusi’s presence at the correctional facility was in response to an invitation from a Non-Governmental Organisation. Owned by one of his wives, Queen Temitope, Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) passionately advocates for the improvement of correctional centers.
He explained that the initiative, done in partnership with the Kuje Correctional Authority, had its core emphasis on providing hope to inmates regarding their reintegration into society after serving their terms. The Ooni played a significant role as part of the commemoration of his eighth anniversary.
‘The intent of those spreading the news was to blackmail the monarch; there is nothing hidden about the event. In any case, the king never met Emefiale because it was an official event organised by the NGO in conjunction with the Kuje Correction Centre.’
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‘The programme centres around giving hope to the inmate that, after serving out their terms, they still have hope to reintegrate back to the society. The Arole Ooni was invited to chair the event in commemoration of his eighth anniversary on the throne.’
‘What is exclusive about a public programme where different public figures spoke and representatives of the inmate also spoke? How then did the Ooni manage to meet Emefiele?
‘We must be careful with how people spread falsehoods about people. The video of the event is available to the public. I am not even sure Emefiele attended the programme because he is only in detention and not an inmate yet, so why link the programme to Emefiele? It is simply to achieve blackmail,’ he added.