Yeye Omolara who spoke to The PUNCH regretted that Talolorun was remanded in prison for burning Quran and insulting the clerics, noting that there have been cases where Muslims were also seen burning cloaks of masquerades.
An Osun priestess, Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara, has called for a fair and unbiased trial of the traditional religion practitioner and popular Isese activist Adegbola Abdulazeez also known as Talolorun, who was recently arrested and remanded for allegedly burning the Quran and insulting Islamic clerics.
Yeye Omolara who spoke to The PUNCH regretted that Talolorun was remanded in prison for burning Quran and insulting the clerics, noting that there have been cases where Muslims were also seen burning cloaks of masquerades.
Blaming social media for many of the ongoing religious conflicts in the country, the Osun priestess, who was bullied by the Muslim group Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society in Ilorin, into cancelling a scheduled Isese Festival in the state, urged the trial judge to be fair and unbiased in the handling of the case.
Although she condemned Talolorun's action, she insisted that both parties – Muslims and traditional religion practitioners – are guilty and the law shouldn't be weaponised against one.
She said, "Well the matter is in court as far as I know, all I would say is that the law should take its rightful course and not be biased.
"I have no judgment to give on that than wait for the court of law to give a fair and free non-bias judgment
"We have seen videos where alfas burnt clothing belonging to masquerade, cases where they have disrespected Isese worshippers, the reason I said social media is the main tool of war.
"They should look at both sides and temper justice with mercy, I am not saying Talolorun has done well by burning the Qur'an or insulting the Emir, but I am saying both parties are guilty and hereby plead with the judge to please judge with fairness and mercy," she maintained.
She said she was confused as to why Muslims saw Isese devotees as threats.
She said, "The major issue is social media. I wouldn't be biased, both parties are to be blamed for the social media escalation of issues.
"I cannot point at one thing however social media isn't doing much good. You see Muslims insulting and degrading us and we in turn respond to their insults. These back and forth trigger many.
"Sincerely I do not know why they see us as a danger or threat to them, because honestly, I am surprised. Yoruba Muslims have always been reasonable and peaceful, the sudden hatred is a mystery. Every Yoruba has its foundation in Isese except we want to deceive ourselves."
I'm Not Saying What Talolorun Did Was Right But Muslims Should Be Blamed As Well, Olokun Priestess, Yeye Omolara Ajesikemi
Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara, the Isese devotee, bullied by the Muslim group, Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society, in Ilorin, into canceling a scheduled Isese… pic.twitter.com/UKTxFZxDX2
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) August 21, 2023
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Talolorun was arrested in Ibadan on Wednesday, August 16, and taken to a police station in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
He was subsequently remanded in prison by a Magistrate court in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
His charge sheet obtained by SaharaReporters is titled, "Nature Of Offence: Criminal Conspiracy, Insulting Or Exciting Contempt Of Religious Creed, Criminal Defamation And Inciting Disturbance Contrary To Section 97, 210, 392 and 114 Of Penal Code Law," Talolorun was charged for blaspheming Islam religion, burning the Quran and defaming some Islamic scholars in Ilorin.
It reads, "On 03/08/2021 at about 1300hrs, the above-captioned case was reported to the commissioner of police, Kwara State command, through a letter of petition written by Association of Proud Sons and Daughters of Ilorin Emirate, Ilorin, Kwara State against you Adegbonla Abdulazeez Talolorun M of No 53 Adeyemo Layout, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State for discreet investigation.
"That sometime lately in the month of July 2023, the attention of the president, Alhaji Muritala Abdulkareem Baba Bariga, and other members were drawn to the videos on the Youtube channel that were posted by you Adegbonla Abdulazeez Tololorun wherein you blasphemed Islam religion, burnt Qur'an, defamed some Islamic scholars in Ilorin.
"That you specifically mention Alfa Ahmad Labeeb Agbaji, Alfa Abdulsalam Baba Tonile Okuta-Agidi, that his father, the late Mohammad-Lawal Okuta Agidi was an idol worshipper, fake cleric and has a shrine in Ilorin.
"You also defame Chief Iman of Offa Alhaji Muhideen Salman Hussein.
"They also stated that you are threatening to cause war in Ilorin and its environs by sending different write-ups on your page on social media inviting other traditional and idol worshippers to assemble in Ilorin on the 20th of August 2023.
"Investigation conducted at the surveillance section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Ilorin, revealed that you Adegbonla Abdulazeez Talolorun 'M' of No 53 Adeyema layout, Molete, Ibadan Oyo State, criminally conspired together with others at large, to insult Islamic region, defamed the character Alfa Ahmad Labeeb Agbaji, Alfa Abdulsalam Baba Tonile Okuta-Agidi and Chief Imam of Offa, Alhaji Muhideen Salman Hussein."