The International Forum of Araba/Oluifa in general has dragged Ibadan based Pastor, Dr. S.M.O Mustapha and other, Ifakunle Ifawole to court for alleged derogatory remarks on traditional religion in Oyo state.
The Traditionalists in a petition addressed to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and which a copy was made available to our correspondent accused the Ibadan based Pastor S.M.O Mustapha and one Ifakunle Ifawole of tying to instigate religious crisis by allowing one Ifakunle Ifawole to make derogatory and passing insults on traditional religion in the State.
The petition reads: “We reliably gathered from our clients that Apostle S.M.O. Mustapha (JP) Baba Sebioba of the Seed of Christ Golden Church, Ibadan, Oyo State in his weekly
programme titled Iri Owuro (Morning Dew”, which he presented at the hour of 5:15 am on the 21st day of March, 2022 and which was aired and transmitted on electronic media as well as social media in particular, facebook insulted tradition religion by casting aspersion on same in the course of his preaching with the sole motive of deriding the said religion but to the advantage and advancement of his own religious organi zation on the one hand and to the benefit of Christian religion in general on the other hand.We further gathered from our clients that the said Apostle committed the above acts by allowing a so-called Ifa Priest called “Baba Alawo” named one Mr Ifakunle Ifawole to parade himself as Ifa Priest (Baba Alawo). The supposed Baba- Alawo made some derogatory remarks aired both on electronic media as well as social media and viewed by the whole world. The Source of the information is https://www.facebook.com/babasebioba/videos/246540391027366 and the acts have been confirmed also by our chambers through the aforesaid source.”
He added: “From the video, the self aclaimed Baba Alawo” as he introduced himself to Apostle said that he wanted to do money ritual and the later uttered disparaging, insulting and defamatory statements calculated to tarnish and ridiculing traditional religion (Ifa), thereby insulted the latter faith which in law under section 204 of the Criminal Code Act, Law of Federation of Nigeria 2004 is a criminal offence and capable of causing religious crisis between worshippers of traditional religion faith and the worshippers of Christian Religion.”
” Furthermore, the said “Baba Alawo”is not really an Ifa priest going by our investigations so far carried out by our clients but rather a fake one who is out to smear traditional religion by his assertion of planning to use his mother for money ritual. His use of the said “Baba Alawo” is liable to offence of impersonation punishable under our criminal jurisprudence. It is therefore in view of the foregoing and more importantly in the interest peace and ultimately to avert religious crisis in Ibadan, Oyo State to which your goodself is a major stakeholder on security issue, that we on behalf of our our clients respectfully present this petition before your good office with a view that your office will swing into action in addressing the issue contained in this petition.”