JUST IN: LAGOS CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL CHIEFTAINCY TITLES

LAGOS CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL CHIEFTAINCY TITLES


The Lagos State Government has warned individuals and groups against assuming or parading unauthorised chieftaincy titles, describing the trend as illegal and disruptive to public order.

In a public advisory issued on Monday, the government said its attention had been drawn to “an unhealthy development where some individuals or groups have assumed certain Chieftaincy titles, either on their own or as leaders of ethnic groups, without the approval of the State Government.”

The advisory, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, stated that such titles are not recognised by the state.

“These titles are not recognised in the State and their use has caused tension, confusion, and needless crises. The situation requires urgent action to inject sanity and arrest the growing trend of impunity, in the interest of peace, law and order in the State,” the advisory said.

The government noted that the number of self-acclaimed traditional rulers had continued to rise despite previous regulatory efforts.

“While we recognise the right of various groups to appoint leaders to coordinate their affairs in Lagos State, the assumption of Chieftaincy titles and nomenclatures equivalent to that of an ‘Oba’ or appellations such as ‘His Royal Majesty’, ‘His Royal Highness’ or its equivalent is in contravention of the extant Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State 2015 and thus illegal,” it added.

The advisory further emphasised that only the Governor has the authority to approve chieftaincy matters in the state.

“Particularly, the appropriate authority for the approval of Chieftaincy titles in Lagos State is the Governor, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development,” it said, noting that Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20 of the law outline the approval procedures.

The government also warned against the use of royal insignia by unauthorised persons.

“Furthermore, Section 21, Paragraphs 2(a–d) and Section 23, Paragraphs (a & b) of the extant law explicitly prohibit the assumption of Royal titles, including ‘King’, ‘HRM’ or any equivalent, as well as the use of Royal paraphernalia, including beaded crowns, shoes, staffs, and horse whisks (irukere),” the advisory stated.

“Any Chieftaincy title conferred without the Governor’s approval is null and void,” the government warned, adding that offenders risk “punishment of two (2) years imprisonment, as prescribed by the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State 2015.”

Residents were urged to comply with the law, and those already holding unauthorised titles were instructed to desist. Failure to comply “may result in necessary actions, including legal proceedings in accordance with the extant laws.”

The government encouraged the public to report cases of unauthorised chieftaincy titles to the ministry, security agencies, and other relevant authorities for prompt action.

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