The Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) on Friday lampooned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde for allegedly brutalising an Ogun State based broadcaster, Wole Sorunke, who is known as MC Murphy.
The FIBAN President, Desmond Nwachukwu who addressed newsmen in Abeokuta on Friday described the incident as unbecoming of the fuji star and holder of Mayegun of Yorubaland title.
Sorunke, a popular radio presenter and event anchor, was allegedly beaten and brutalised by the fuji maestro and his boys on Thursday night at the 60th birthday party of the Olu of Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo.
The FIBAN President told journalists that Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, brutalised, harassed and humiliated the FIBAN member over what he called a minor issue.
Nwachukwu said Ayinde’s conduct was a mockery of Yoruba race as well as the title bestowed on him by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
The FIBAN President appealed to the first class monarch to immediately strip the Fuji star of the title, describing him as unfit.
Wasiu Ayinde Marshal
Nwachukwu said the leadership of FIBAN had reported the matter to the security agencies and vowed to take legal means to ensure justice is done.
“We would like to tell his Majesty that, Yes, we are all humans and we can make mistakes.
This is a grave mistake he has done because as far as we are concerned the holder of Mayegun of Yorubaland title must be a man that commands respect and carries himself pretty well, understanding that the image of his Majesty and the entire Yoruba race is what he goes about with.
“We like to tell his Majesty that it is not too late to strip him of that title. We have to understand that this is Yorubaland and this is where culture and tradition are held with a lot of candour.
“And I say without any reservation that the conduct of Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, at the 60th birthday of the Olu Itori, is the least expected. He does not merit the title by that conduct.
“It is not just a slap on broadcasters in Nigeria and across the world, it is indeed a slap on the Yorubas…,” he said.
Narrating his ordeal, Sorunke said he had taken his client to a stage where Ayinde was performing for the fuji maestro to eulogise him.
The victim said Ayinde snubbed him alongside his client, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Olageospatial Global Investment Company (OGIC), Fasina Olajide.
Sorunke said he was shocked by the action and walked away from the stage and his client, a development he said in turn angered Ayinde and felt embarrassed.
He said the fuji star and some of his boys simply identified as KC and Gaji, came down from the stage and descended on him where he was sitting.
The broadcaster said it took intervention of some his supporters and other members of the gathering to retrieve him from the angry fuji star and his boys.
Sorunke showed his swollen cheeks and lips, which he said was as a result of the alleged pummelling by the fuji star.
The victim said he was perturbed by the development because he had been a long standing admirer, associate and promoter for Ayinde’s brand of music.
Sorunke, however, said Ayinde later regretted his action and apologised to him.
He said he decided to make the matter public and seek justice in order to serve as deterrent to the musician who according to him, has penchant for beating up people at slight provocation.
When contacted, Ayinde’s media manager, Kunle Rasheed denied involvement of his boss in the violence at the party.
Rasheed in his reply to a text message ,said “Nothing of such happened. Anything that happened to him has nothing to do with Alhaji (referring to Ayinde).”
