David Omeje, Secretary Of Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA), Amonu Igala Uja Ache, has said that Alhaji Chief Mohammed Ahaibu Salifu lacks the powers to suspend and de-bead any chief in Lagos State.

Omeje was reacting to the recent announcement of suspension and de-beading of five beaded chiefs by Alhaji Salifu as the Onu (Head), Igala Community, Lagos State/Ochai Attah Igala, Paramount Chairman, Council of Onu Igala and Chiefs, Lagos State.

According to Omeje in a statement made available to Sunday Independent, Chief Salifu had been suspended from his position as Onu Igala of Lagos and had no legal or traditional authority to suspend or de-bead any individual within the igala community.

Omeje stated: “This official statement is jointly issued on behalf of the following Igala traditional chiefs and leaders in Lagos State; Alh. Suleiman Achem, Onu Igala, Apapa LGA; Dr. Ibrahim Amodu, Onu Igala, Otto Awori LCDA; Alh. Zakari Idris Audu, Onu Igala, Ikorodu-Central LGA; Mr. Ayuba Yakubu, Onu Igala, Lekki LCDA;Mr. Benjamin Peter Alifa, Aidokanya-General of the Igala Community in Ikorodu.”

Making further clarifications, Omeje said that Chief Muhammad Shaibu Salifu was officially suspended by the Chairman of the Lagos State Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA), Mr. Anaja Michael.

The suspension, he added, had been formally upheld and ratified by the Igala supreme traditional headquarters in Idah, Kogi State.

Omeje stressed that Chief Muhammad Shaibu Salifu is currently facing criminal charges regarding an alleged defilement of a minor.

According to him, “The case is actively before the Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ikeja, with the next hearing scheduled for November 19, 2026.

“Lack of Locus Standi: Having been stripped of his title and authority by both the socio-cultural leadership in Lagos and the traditional headquarters in Idah, the former Onu Igala lacks the locus standi to act, make pronouncements, or alter the traditional status of any chief or member of the Igala community.

“We urge the general public, the media, and the Sunday Independent to disregard any past, present, or future statements or disciplinary actions carried out by Muhammad Shaibu Salifu, as they are null, void, and of no effect.”

It would be recalled that Sunday Independent on November 8, 2026 carried a story of the suspension and de-beadment of the five chiefs by Alhaji Salifu with effect from October 24, 2027.

The story was based on a statement issued by the Council of Onu Igala and Chiefs under the chairmanship of Alhaji Salifu as the Onu Igala Lagos.

However, when contacted, Alhaji Salifu stated that he still remains the only paramount ruler of the Igala community in Lagos, disclosing that his reported suspension had been nullified and withdrawn by the Igala supreme traditional headquarters in Idah, Kogi State, and a letter issued to him to that effect.

He also stated that the suspension and de-beadment of the five chiefs stand and cannot be revoked by Omeje or anyone else without following due process.

Salifu also stressed that the Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) lacks powers to suspend an Onu Igala, the paramount ruler of Igala community, or has the authority to appoint a new one.

He also maintained that all other allegations leveled against him by Omeje are false as he (Omeje) is not a member of the traditional council or privy to its proceedings and therefore cannot authoritatively speak on how the council is being run.

Chief Salifu also noted that the case of alleged defilement is still under trial in court and that he had not been found guilty, wondering why Omeje had been spearheading what he termed an illegal parallel traditional council in Lagos and appointment of a new ruler while he (Salifu) is still in office. (Saturday Independent)