Lagos Monarch Allegedly Punches High Chief, Injures Him For Buying Transformer In The Community

A traditional ruler, Saheed Adamson, of Ajido community, in the Badagry area of Lagos State has reportedly beaten up one of his high chiefs, Michael Kunnuji, during an altercation.

The monarch was said to have dealt a blow on Kunnuji, who also doubles as his second-in-command.

According to reports, youths in the community had threatened to destroy the king’s property over the incident.

The timely intervention of policemen from the Badagry division stopped them from carrying out their plan.

However, the policemen allegedly refused to make an arrest even after Kunniji filed an official complaint at the station but directed the high chief to the Badagry General Hospital, where he was treated.

Narrating the incident to Punch, the high chief said that he was assaulted by the monarch when he paid him a visit after returning from Jerusalem.

He explained that the crisis began after he purchased a transformer for the community, a project that the king did not support.

He said, “On September 30, 2022, I went to meet the monarch alongside the bishop that came to do thanksgiving for my coronation anniversary. When I got there, I greeted him in our Egun dialect, saying, ‘I hail you, your highness.’ Then he started shouting in public, saying, ‘Do you see him, look at the way he is greeting me.’

“He told me I was stupid and I also replied that he was stupid. Before I knew it, he punched me in my face with a ring and blood started coming out. I did not retaliate; I just left his palace with my bloodied face.

“I and my lawyer, who was present at the scene, went to the Badagry Police Station to report the assault on my person. After writing a statement, the police said they could not arrest him because he was a king.

“I am filing a case of assault against him; I have employed the services of legal professionals and I will see that I pursue this case and get justice.”

Kunnuji’s counsel, Ganiyu Adeola, said he was taking steps to ensure justice was served.

When the aforementioned publication contacted the monarch he said the high chief could go to court if he wanted.

He said, “Let him go to court, what is your own problem? Are you not a journalist? Why are you asking me such a question? Why can’t you advise him to go to court? Is this the work of a journalist?”

He hissed and cut off the call.

The DPO of Badagry Police Station, SP Peter Gbesu, denied the allegation that the officers could not arrest or invite the monarch.