Chief Gbenga Ajibade has been arrested for alleged murder, according to confirmation from the Osun State Police Command.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Command spokeswoman, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest and said that the event was being investigated.
While promising that justice will be done, Ojelabi asked the public to maintain their composure.
The Ijesa Sports Club suspended Chief Ajibade for his alleged role in the poisoning episode, ZINGTIE had learned.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2025, Kenneth Opebiyi, the Club’s Director of Social and Publicity, released an official statement announcing the suspension.
Following alarming claims that Chief Ajibade tried to kill a young man over a disagreement about stolen grain, the statement added the suspension.
In a video that ZINGTIE was able to collect, Chief Ajibade was shown in Ilesa, Osun State, pressuring a young guy who was suspected of stealing to consume a poison.
Ebenezer, a 25-year-old male, was charged with stealing two pieces of corn from Chief Ajibade’s property in the Ireti Ayo neighborhood of Ilesa.
It was learned that Ajibade is the president of Ilesa’s Ijesa Sports Club.
The incident happened more than a week ago, and the suspect’s father collapsed and died immediately after learning that his son had been forced to consume the toxic drug.
However, Ojelabi stressed that the poisoning did not kill the victim.
“Doctors at Wesley Guild Hospital stabilised Ebenezer. He did not die, contrary to what was told to his father,” he confirmed.
“The father, after hearing false information about his son’s death, unfortunately died of shock. This has made the matter even more tragic and complicated,” Ojelabi noted.
He revealed that, “The police have since traced and arrested Chief Ajibade in his hometown of Ipetu Ijesa. He was subsequently moved to Osogbo for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“The suspect is currently in custody, and we are conducting thorough investigations into the circumstances of the incident,” Ojelabi said.
He cautioned the public against pursuing justice on their own and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforce the law.
He will face charges in court after the investigations are finished, the police official continued.