The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in a recent clarification refuted claims that he visited Godwin Emefiele, the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, at Kuje prison in Abuja.
The Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, clarified that the royal visit was in representation of the Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI), a non-governmental organization supporting the prison owned by Queen Temitope, one of the Ooni’s wives.
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Furthermore Olafare emphasized that the event at Kuje prison, organized in collaboration with the correctional administration, aimed to instill hope in prisoners regarding their reintegration into society post-sentence.
He denounced allegations of the Ooni meeting Emefiele, stressing that it was an official event organized by the NGO.
Highlighting the malicious intent behind the rumors, Olafare stated, “The intent of those spreading the news was to blackmail the monarch; there is nothing hidden about the event.”
He urged caution in the dissemination of false information, pointing out that the video of the public event is available for verification.
Furthermore, he questioned the credibility of connecting Emefiele to the program, noting, “I am not even sure Emefiele attended the program because he is only in detention and not an inmate yet, so why link the program to Emefiele? It is simply to achieve blackmail.”
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The spokesperson reiterated that the Ooni’s participation in the program was part of commemorating his eighth anniversary on the throne, emphasizing its public and inclusive nature.
The Ooni of Ife continues to champion initiatives that contribute positively to societal well-being, including efforts to uplift those within the prison system.
