21/09/2025
HELP US, INTERVENE NOW!" - APTAN CRIES TO SULTAN, NSCIA, MURIC, FOMWAN, All MUSLIM BODIES OVER UNLAWFUL EXTORTION IN ILE-IFE
Date: September 20th, 2025
The Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife branch, wishes to draw urgent attention to an unfortunate incident that occurred at the Ojatuntun Otisese Weekly Market on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
On that afternoon, men who claimed to represent the Palace of the Ooni of Ife stormed the market and forcefully seized goods belonging to our members. These individuals have been identified as Mr. Efunwole Kola, Mr. Sogo Olagbaju, and Mr. Hezekiah Agunbiade.
The seized items included: from Mrs. Aisha Ogundare, a Monique with cloth; from Mrs. Elureni Balikis, 2.5 liters of vegetable oil; from Mrs. Akande Moridiyah, 5 liters of vegetable oil; and several other traders whose losses are equally painful. These goods were taken because our members declined to pay a levy allegedly tied to the Olojo Festival.
This is not an isolated event. For over five years, our members have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and seizure of goods under the guise of compulsory levies for traditional festivals. Goods taken in previous years have never been returned, and this yearly oppression continues despite our repeated appeals.
Our members are Muslims. We have consistently and faithfully paid all other legitimate fees and levies required of us. However, making contributions to activities rooted in traditional religious practices (Isese) is forbidden in our faith.
The Qur’an says: “Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Qur’an 6:162)
And again, Allah commands: “Do not assist one another in sin and transgression, but assist one another in righteousness and piety.” (Qur’an 5:2)
Therefore, compelling Muslims to fund traditional religious practices is a direct violation of our conscience and our religious freedom.
This act also stands in violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which in Section 38(1) guarantees that:
“Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
By forcing Muslims to pay levies that contradict their faith, these men and their sponsors are breaching the very foundation of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
Furthermore, Section 44(1) protects citizens from compulsory acquisition of their property except by law. The forceful seizure of our members’ goods is therefore unlawful, unconstitutional, and amounts to economic assault.
APTAN and its members hold His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in the highest esteem. We believe strongly that His Majesty is not aware of these acts, which we suspect are being carried out under the influence of certain high chiefs and the Babaloja, without the explicit sanction of the throne. We recall that only weeks ago, we paid a courtesy visit to the Babaloja (Chief Jimoh Olaoluwa Odeyemi) of Odo-Ogbe to appeal that our members not be compelled to fund Isese activities. Unfortunately, our pleas were ignored.
We are not rebels; we are contributors to Ile-Ife’s growth. Over the years, APTAN has facilitated the introduction of tricycles into Ile-Ife through ALBARAKAH Microfinance Bank, trained over 100 artisans at little or no cost, organised annual public enlightenment lectures, carried out periodic community services, and recently established a skill acquisition centre for artisans. On October 26, 2025, we shall also host a free Medical Caravan for the people of Ile-Ife.
Given these contributions, it is heartbreaking that our members are being harassed and stripped of their goods simply because they refuse to compromise their faith. This oppression, if unchecked, will not only impoverish families but also sow discord within the peaceful fabric of Ile-Ife.
We therefore passionately appeal to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, to intervene urgently and put an end to this shameful practice. We believe these acts diminish the dignity of the throne and misrepresent the noble values of justice and fairness for which the Ooni stands.
We also call on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and all Muslim bodies nationwide to come to our aid. Our cry is for protection of our constitutional and Islamic rights.
We urge journalists, civil society organisations, and all lovers of justice to stand with us in amplifying this voice of truth. Our demand is simple: stop the harassment, return seized goods, and respect the rights of our members to practice their religion without coercion.
APTAN Ile-Ife remains loyal to the throne of Oduduwa and committed to the progress of our ancient city. We reaffirm our devotion to peace, justice, and development, and we pray that this matter is swiftly resolved in fairness and in truth.
Signed:
Comrade Adegoke Saidi (Coordinator ) 09062207998
Comrade Monsur Jimoh (Secretary )0806040035
Comrade Banjo Isiaq (Welfare Officer) 07040958849