Palace Imposes Day Curfew Over Ooni
In a test of wills between modernity and tradition, the Ile Ife palace has declared a 9am to 4pm curfew for Wednesday (tomorrow) to conclude the rite of passage of the demised foremost Yoruba traditional ruler, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
The death of the monarch, which had for about two weeks been denied by the palace, will be formally announced by the cult after the curfew for the dreaded cult known as "oro."
Two legal practitioners who spoke to the Daily Times on Monday night declared that the day curfew is a breach of the people's constitutionally-guaranteed right to freedom of movement. They also wondered how such a proclamation could be made in this age, particularly if a medical emergency arises during the period.
The Daily Times had reported on Monday the fears of the residents that an important ingredient for the burial rites was missing, a phrase they interpreted to mean the Aboba ku, one who dies with a monarch.
The Yoruba tradition believes that a monarch cannot embark on the journey to the great beyond unaccompanied.
During the lifetime of the monarch, a person is named for the role and is said to enjoy immense benefits with the monarch.
At the demise of the traditional ruler, the Abo ba ku meekly surrenders to death.
Although unconfirmed, residents of the town were on Monday reported by the Daily Times to be afraid that the unidentified person had gone underground.
An aide of the Osun State Government, who spoke under anonymity denied knowledge of the curfew. The aide told the Daily Times: "The Governor has been busy with the Osun summit and he also made a dash to Ilesa over Sunday night's market fire. We have no hand in any curfew."
Meanwhile, the official proclamation of the demise of Oba Sijuwade will be made public on Wednesday (tomorrow), according to the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oba Layi Adereti.
Oba Adereti, who is also the head of the Oro cult in Ile Ife, made the disclosure on Monday while speaking on the preparation of the burial of the monarch who was said to have passed on at the Saint Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago.
According to the traditional ruler, who spoke for the first time on the reported demise of the foremost monarch, the Oro festival is the final rite of passage for an Ooni.
He stated that 9am to 4pm on Wednesday has been fixed for the final pronouncement of the demise of Ooni.
Additionally, Oba Adereti informed all residents, male and female, to remain indoors during the rite.
He declared that after the Oro and proclamation, subsequent rites would follow.
The monarch added that though only females are normally barred when Oro festival is being held, this time round, it has no respect for any gender.
The monarch added: "This is an official statement from the palace of Awara of Iwara-Ife who is the head of Oro deity that on Wednesday 12th August 2015, there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife. The proclamation will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife.
"The residents of the ancient town are therefore urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9am and 4pm during which the Oro deity will be out.
"With the announcement, people are advised to stay in-door for the period when the Oro will be out."
Two Lagos State-based legal practitioners, Messrs Tunde Popoola and Chris Okorocha told the Daily Times that the day curfew contradicts section 41 of the constitution.
It reads: (1) "Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society-
(a) imposing restrictions on the residence or movement of any person who has committed or is reasonably suspected to have committed a criminal offence in order to prevent him from leaving Nigeria; or
(b) providing for the removal of any person from Nigeria to any other country to:-
(i) be tried outside Nigeria for any criminal offence, or
(ii) undergo imprisonment outside Nigeria in execution of the sentence of a court of law in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty: Provided that there is reciprocal agreement between Nigeria and such other country in relation to such matter.
Popoola said: "Nothing in these provisions allows any group of Nigerians to impose restrictions on other citizens, particularly at day time. What happens in an emergency? If a woman falls into labour, or someone suddenly falls critically ill? What about travelers from villages who may not have access to radio and newspapers and may have cause to visit Ile Ife during the period?
"This curfew is a test case whether Nigeria is in the 21st Century or is still locked in the 13th Century."
http://dailytimes.com.ng/palace-imposes-day-curfew-ooni/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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