Ifa Council to sue Ogun Govt, Awujale’s family over ‘illegal’ burial rites

The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has vowed to take the Ogun State Government and the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, to court over what it describes as a violation of traditional burial laws.

Oba Adetona, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, was buried according to Islamic customs—a decision the council strongly opposed, citing it as a breach of Yoruba traditional protocols.

Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday, the President of ICIR, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, alongside the council’s legal counsel, Barrister Ifasola Opeodu, accused both the state and the monarch’s family of disregarding established legal and cultural obligations required for the burial of a traditional ruler.

Fakayode referenced an existing court ruling mandating that traditional monarchs be laid to rest in accordance with Yoruba customs rather than foreign religious practices like Islam or Christianity.

He praised the Osugbo Confraternity, the group responsible for performing the traditional rites, for maintaining peace despite being allegedly prevented from carrying out their duties.

He said, “The Ogun State Government’s enforcement of Islamic rites for Oba Adetona’s burial clearly goes against Part 8, Section 55, Sub-section II of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law.”

“We commend the Osugbo Confraternity for their maturity and patience. Their peaceful conduct, even in the face of adversity, is a true representation of the teachings of Òrúnmìlà,” he added.

Describing the situation as more than a mere disagreement over burial rites, Fakayode warned that ignoring traditional practices undermines the cultural integrity of the Yoruba people.

“This isn’t just about how a king was buried. It’s about preserving the heritage that binds us as a people. Any move against this is a threat to our identity,” he stated.

He also condemned the treatment of traditional practitioners by security operatives and government representatives during the burial proceedings, calling it a show of disrespect that would not go unchallenged.

Echoing his views, Barrister Ifasola Opeodu said the actions of the state government, the late king’s family, and Islamic clerics represented not only a cultural offense but also a legal one.

He said, “These actions violate the rights of traditional religion practitioners and pose a serious threat to democracy. What happened at the Awujale’s burial was not only unlawful but also an affront to an established cultural system.”

Opeodu further criticised the role of Islamic clerics at the ceremony, particularly the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, accusing them of disregarding state laws and encouraging lawlessness.

He said legal steps would be taken to hold all responsible parties accountable and to safeguard Yoruba cultural values from future violations.

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