IJEBU ODE — The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has removed its Chairman, Abdulateef Owoyemi, Vice-Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, and Deputy Chairman, Adeodokun Ajidagba, over allegations of financial inducement, document manipulation and breaches of due process in the ongoing selection of the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

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The decision was reached on Sunday during a meeting of the ruling house held at the Agunsebi Family House in Ijebu Ode and presided over by the ruling house secretary, Adeleke Adeyemi.

The trio’s removal followed the unanimous adoption of a 25-page report submitted by a nine-member fact-finding committee established to investigate petitions alleging irregularities in the royal succession process.

The committee, chaired by Olusegun Olusoga with Adeyemo Oduneye serving as secretary, was constituted in June after members of the ruling house raised concerns over alleged bribery, manipulation and lack of transparency in the compilation and submission of candidates for the vacant royal stool.

Presenting the committee’s findings, Oduneye disclosed that only Owoyemi honoured the committee’s invitation, while Yusuf and Ajidagba declined to appear before the panel.

According to him, the investigation uncovered “a manifest breakdown of unity, communication and cohesion” among the three principal leaders of the ruling house.

He further alleged that the process used in compiling and submitting the list of candidates failed to comply with the provisions of the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration, particularly regarding the statutory classification of eligible candidates.

“The chairman, deputy chairman and vice chairman, in utter disregard for the statutory classification of candidates as set out in the Awujale Declaration, refused and/or neglected to classify the candidates into either male line, female line or those candidates born through Awujale Folagbade before he ascended the throne,” Oduneye stated.

He described the alleged omission as an “unpardonable and deliberate dereliction of sacred duty.”

Following the presentation of the report, members of the ruling house unanimously adopted its recommendations, resulting in the immediate removal of the three leaders.

Ruling House Alleges Bribery, Leadership Failure

Speaking after the meeting, the ruling house secretary, Adeleke Adeyemi, said members unanimously agreed that the affected leaders should step aside in the interest of preserving the integrity of the Awujale institution.

According to him, the committee established that several acts of misconduct had undermined confidence in the leadership of the ruling house.

“The fact-finding committee investigated issues within the ruling house and found that most of the ‘Olori Ebi’ were involved in malpractices such as bribery.

“The committee presented its findings at today’s meeting, and the ruling house reached a unanimous decision that they should be removed,” Adeyemi said.

He disclosed that the ruling house would formally notify the Ogun State Government of the development and immediately commence the process of electing new leaders to oversee the succession exercise.

Oduneye also accused the removed leaders of accepting financial inducements, supporting preferred candidates and manipulating official documents submitted during the selection process without following established procedures.

According to him, members of the ruling house are prepared to restart the selection process if necessary to ensure transparency and credibility.

“It all boils down to leadership failure, so the Ijebu people need to relax and be patient. It’s better we do it well than to rush at it and present the wrong result,” he said.

Removed Leaders Reject Allegations, Threaten Legal Action

Reacting to the development, Prof. Fassy Yusuf rejected the committee’s report and described those behind the meeting as “a bunch of rabble-rousers and confusionists.”

He questioned the legitimacy of the committee, insisting that it lacked the authority to investigate him.

“How could somebody under you set up a panel to probe you? Probe you for what? Who are they?” Yusuf asked.

He also threatened legal action against those making the allegations.

“If they defame me, I will take them to court. They will come to court and prove whatever allegation that they have against me.”

Yusuf further denied participating in the preparation of the list of candidates for the Awujale stool.

“I was not part of those who compiled the list of candidates. They used my office; I did not even see them, I did not even step inside, deliberately, because that’s my life,” he stated.

Similarly, the removed chairman, Abdulateef Owoyemi, dismissed the committee’s findings, describing those responsible for his removal as “a bunch of rebels.”

He insisted that the allegations were false and politically motivated.

“Their allegations are baseless, unfounded and should be ignored by members of the public,” Owoyemi said.

He also questioned the role played by Secretary Adeleke Adeyemi during the meeting, alleging that Adeyemi was personally interested in occupying the vacant traditional stool.

The Awujale throne became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who reigned for 65 years and was one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers.