By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

|

Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a middle aged man for allegedly parading himself as a traditional ruler and lawyer.
The suspect identified as Rufus Ajayi, a native of Rore in Irepodun local government of Kwara State allegedly paraded himself as a traditional ruler of Gbomina Ekiti in Kwara State.
The Hope Metro learnt that he was apprehended at the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, who called for his arrest and interrogation.
The suspect was said to have contacted Oba Adejugbe a few days ago over his plan to assemble about 100 traditional rulers in Ekiti for a meeting with a presidential aspirant based in Abuja.
It was gathered that Ajayi had exchanged text messages with Oba Adejugbe while introducing himself as the Paramount ruler of Gbomina Ekiti kingdom in Kwara State.
Ajayi was also alleged to have produced a banner with his picture in full traditional regalia alongside that of Oba Adejugbe announcing the planned meeting.
The content of the banner was said to have caught the attention of some traditional chiefs of the Ewi-in-Council, who immediately removed it and took it to Ewi for confirmation.
It was further learnt that the Ewi immediately sent for Ajayi and asked him to explain the motive behind his plan before the commencement of the scheduled meeting.
On arrival at the palace, Ajayi was unable to give satisfactory explanation on his motives for the meeting, while Ewi was suspicious of his traditional regalia.
Speaking further on the issue, Oba Adejugbe, who was disturbed, said he had asked the police handling the case to do a thorough investigation on it.
When contacted, the Area Crime Officer of Ado-Ekiti central Police Area Command, Mr Akerekan Usman, confirmed the invitation on the order of the Ewi.
Usman added that the suspect had been arrested because he could not give satisfactory explanation on his personality. He added that the suspect and other exhibits recovered from him including the case file will be transferred to the police command headquarters in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.