The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene in alleged harassment and extortion of Muslim traders in Ile-Ife by palace agents who reportedly imposed illegal levies for the annual Olojo Festival.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 22, 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the association received a petition from the Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife branch, accusing palace representatives of invading Oja Tuntun Otisese Weekly Market on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
According to APTAN’s leadership Comrade Adegoke Saidi (Coordinator), Comrade Monsur Jimoh (Secretary), and Comrade Banjo Isiaq (Welfare Officer) the agents allegedly seized goods from Muslim shop owners who refused to pay the levies. Items reportedly taken included clothing materials, 2.5 liters and 5 liters of vegetable oil, among others belonging to traders such as Mrs. Aisha Ogundare, Mrs. Balikis Elureni, and Mrs. Akande Moridiyah.
MURIC condemned the development, described it as “daylight robbery” and “a deliberate attempt to impoverish poor Muslim traders.” Professor Akintola said:
“Now, to forcefully collect levies for a traditional festival from Muslims and to go as far as seizing goods in their shops for refusing to pay constitutes an encroachment on their Allah-given fundamental human rights.”
He warned that such practices portrayed intolerance and could heighten religious tension in the South West.
MURIC further demanded that identified suspects Mr. Efunwole Kola, Mr. Sogo Olagbaju, and Mr. Hezekiah Agunbiade return the seized goods, insisting that they acted without the Ooni’s authority.
“Kabiyesi is a man of peace and justice. We appeal to him to call his palace agents to order and restore the confidence of Muslim traders in Ile-Ife markets,” Akintola said.
