The coordinator of the Isese Welfare Association, a group representing practitioners of indigenous religions, Aderemi Ifaoleepin Aderemi, has explained the reason behind the association’s disassociation from Barrister Muftau Olobi.
According to The PUNCH, Olobi was one of the legal representatives for Adegbola Abdulazeez, also known as Tani Olohun, who is facing legal issues after being arrested on August 16 and detained at a correctional facility in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Adegbola is accused of various offenses, including insulting the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
In a statement dated October 11, 2023, the Isese Welfare Association disavowed Olobi, citing his practice of Islam and his regular travels between Lagos and Kwara states.
Notably, this development occurred shortly after Olobi issued a public apology on behalf of Adegbola, directed towards the ‘Association of Proud Sons and Daughters of Ilorin Emirate’ and the ‘entire Muslim clerics and Muslim adherents worldwide,’ stating that Adegbola had repented and reformed from his previous actions.
The apology letter dated October 9, 2023, read, “Furthermore, in furtherance of genuine intention, sobriety, clear, sincere and unequivocal apology of our client, he has formally mandated and instructed us to on his behalf write this letter of further personal apologies.
“With humility, we are making our reliance for the basis of this our letter on the provisions of the noble Holy Quran on forgiveness by commending you to the following provisions,” the letter read in part.
In response to Olobi’s plea, the Isese Welfare Association issued a press statement that was jointly signed by its Coordinator, Adérẹ̀mí Ifáòleèpin Adérẹ̀mí, and Secretary General, Ifágbénúṣọlá Popoola, in which they expressed their disapproval of Olobi.
The statement partly read: “We specially write on behalf of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Community worldwide to formally announce, publicly, that one Barr Mufutau Olufola Olobi is not a personal lawyer of our spiritual son, Abdul Azeez Adégbolá, aka Tani Ọlọhun, who is standing trial before the Magistrate and Upper Area Courts in Ìlọrin, Kwara State on the allegations of defamation of character and other charges.”
Speaking with journalists, Aderemi gave reasons why Olobi was denounced and sacked by the association.
He said, “He is a Muslim and has been fraternising with the petitioners; he does not have our best interest at heart.
“We hired him, and even the money he got, some of us had to contribute N2000 just to raise that money. We do not have so many members; the few we have contributed to pay him.
“We do not believe he has Tani Olohun’s best interest at heart because if he did after the apology letter was sent out, even without our consent, somehow Adegbola was slammed with a fourth lawsuit, so what is the purpose of the apology?
“The association did not ask Olobi to write that apology letter. We did not consent to it.”
When asked about how the association came into contact with Olobi, Aderemi explained that a mutual friend, who is also an initiate, introduced Olobi to the association.
“Ademola Solesi Banks is the one we recognise and accept, Olobi is not Adegbola’s lawyer anymore; he should stop parading himself as such,” Aderemi said.
While reacting to the development, Olobi, stated, “Yes, the association asked that I stop representing Adegbola in court. They claimed my faith was the issue and that I was consorting with the alfas.
“We are all seeking his release. Adegbola asked me to write an apology letter. He wrote one, and I rewrote the letter for him.
“Tani Olohun’s family, his mother was who asked that I represent their son in court. However, I eventually stepped aside for personal reasons.
“On the claims of being drunk, that is far from the truth,” Olobi stated.
