As reported by Punch, Speaking to the correspondent, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo disclosed that the suspension was announced during the traditional rulers’ meeting on Friday.
The suspension, initially slated for three months without salaries, was reduced to two months following his apology during the meeting.
According to the Monarch, “They said the suspension was due to the way I spent money on one musician. And when I was asked if I had anything to say, I stood up and apologized for whatever I had done wrong,” said Oba Kolawole Sowemimo.
The controversy arose from a viral video in early January showing the Olu of Owode adorning popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, with knitted new notes of N1,000 as a garland to decorate the musician.
The Egba Traditional Council deemed this act a public degradation of Nigerian currency, which contravenes the law of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The suspension was announced during the February statutory meeting of the council chaired by the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
The decision to suspend Oba Kolawole Sowemimo came after the Ethics Committee of the Egba Traditional Council reviewed the viral video and concluded that the monarch breached the ethics of a Yoruba traditional institution by defacing Nigeria’s currency.
The committee chairman, Oba Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu, highlighted the public condemnation of the monarch’s actions, emphasizing that they contradict Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.