The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has removed three of its principal leaders over allegations of financial inducement, document manipulation and breaches of due process in the selection of the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
Those removed are the Chairman of the ruling house, Abdulateef Owoyemi; Vice-Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf; and Deputy Chairman, Adeodokun Ajidagba.
Their removal was announced on Sunday at a meeting held at the Agunsebi Family House in Ijebu Ode and presided over by the Secretary of the ruling house, Adeleke Adeyemi.
The decision followed the presentation of a 25-page report by a nine-member fact-finding committee set up by the family to investigate allegations of misconduct against the three leaders.
The committee, constituted in June following petitions alleging financial inducement and other irregularities in the Awujale selection process, was chaired by Olusegun Olusoga, while Adeyemo Oduneye served as secretary.
Presenting the report, Oduneye said only Owoyemi appeared before the committee, while Yusuf and Ajidagba declined its invitation.
He said the panel found a serious breakdown of unity, communication and cohesion among the three leaders of the ruling house.
The committee also faulted the process used to compile and submit the list of candidates for the vacant traditional stool, describing it as lacking transparency, proper screening, due process and a coordinated approach.
It further alleged that the three leaders failed to classify the aspirants in accordance with the Awujale Declaration, which provides for categorisation based on the male and female lines, as well as candidates born through Awujale Folagbade before he ascended the throne.
The panel described the alleged failure to comply with the prescribed classification as a serious dereliction of the responsibilities entrusted to the ruling house leadership.
Among its recommendations, the committee urged Owoyemi, Yusuf and Ajidagba to step aside in the interest of peace, unity and the integrity of the Awujale institution.
The ruling house subsequently adopted the report and voted for the immediate removal of the three leaders.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Adeyemi said the decision was based on the committee’s findings, particularly allegations of financial inducement and other irregularities in the selection process.
He said the ruling house would communicate the decision to the Ogun State Government and begin the process of appointing new leadership to oversee its affairs.
Oduneye said the removed leaders were accused of several administrative infractions, including allegedly supporting particular candidates, manipulating documents and failing to follow established procedures.
He maintained that the selection exercise had lost credibility under their leadership and that new leadership was therefore required to restore confidence in the process.
According to him, the ruling house would not hesitate to restart the selection exercise if necessary, insisting that a credible process was more important than rushing to fill the vacant stool.
He urged the people of Ijebuland to remain patient, saying the priority should be to conduct the process properly and produce an Awujale who would serve the interests of the entire kingdom.
Owoyemi Rejects Removal
Reacting to the development, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi rejected the decision and dismissed the committee’s findings, describing those behind the move as “a bunch of rebels.”
He said the decision lacked substance and accused the group of attempting to create division within the ruling house.
“Their allegations are baseless, unfounded and should be ignored by members of the public,” Owoyemi said.
He also questioned the role of Adeyemi in presiding over the meeting, alleging that the ruling house secretary was himself interested in the vacant Awujale stool.
Prof. Fassy Yusuf similarly rejected the allegations, describing those behind the decision as “rabble-rousers and confusionists.”
He threatened to seek legal redress over what he described as defamatory allegations and questioned the legitimacy of a process in which, according to him, Adeyemi, whom he alleged was an aspirant to the throne, presided over the meeting.
Yusuf also denied involvement in any manipulation of the candidates’ list, insisting that the allegations against him were without merit.
The Awujale throne became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91, after 65 years on the throne.
The Ogun State Government suspended the selection process in January 2026 after receiving petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders. The move followed an earlier suspension in December 2025 over concerns about the procedure being adopted.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had produced 95 aspirants during its nomination exercise in Ijebu Ode, comprising 94 princes and one princess.
The latest development has further complicated the prolonged process of selecting a successor to the late Oba Adetona and filling one of Ijebuland’s most revered traditional institutions.
