The Oyo State Government has suspended Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju, the Sobaloju of Ofiki, over allegations of illegal mining activities and violations of the State’s Executive Order 001/2023. This order governs mining activities in the state and aims to protect government assets and resources.

The suspension was announced through a letter from the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Olajire A.M., and is a precautionary measure pending the completion of an investigation into the allegations. The state government emphasized that this decision was made to safeguard the interests of Oyo State and its citizens.

Allegations Against Chief Sobaloju

According to the allegations, Chief Sobaloju is accused of issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorization, thus permitting mining activities in areas that are part of the state’s reserved forest. Additionally, the chief is accused of facilitating unauthorized mining operations and encouraging trespassing on government-gazetted assets.

The letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters confirmed that Chief Sobaloju’s actions violated the State Executive Order 001/2023, which regulates mining activities in Oyo State. His suspension is intended to ensure that the ongoing investigation remains unimpeded.

Suspension Details

The suspension was officially effective from Monday, January 5, 2026. The letter issued to the chief instructed him to cease all mining-related activities, including issuing consent letters to miners. It also directed him to cooperate with the investigation by making himself available for questioning and refraining from interfering with the process.

The suspension is being viewed as a measure to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation and ensure transparency in addressing the illegal mining allegations.

Government’s Position

In a statement, the Oyo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring that mining activities in the state comply with established regulations. The government stressed that illegal mining threatens the state’s resources, and the suspension of Chief Sobaloju reflects the seriousness with which the authorities are addressing this issue.