Awujale stool: Ruling house removes three leaders over bribery allegations

Three leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, have been removed from their positions following allegations of financial inducement and manipulation in the selection process for the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

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There is a manifest breakdown of unity, communication, and cohesion among the trio acclaimed Olori-Ebis. 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.

The removed officials are Chairman Abdulateef Owoyemi, Vice-Chairman Prof. Fassy Yusuf, and Deputy Chairman Adeodokun Ajidagba. The decision was announced after a meeting presided over by the ruling house's Secretary, Adeleke Adeyemi.

A nine-member Fact-Finding Committee was established in June 2026 to investigate petitions detailing allegations of bribery and other irregularities against the trio. The committee's 25-page report was presented at the meeting. Only Chairman Owoyemi appeared before the committee; Yusuf and Ajidagba declined the invitation.

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This is an unpardonable and deliberate dereliction of sacred duty bestowed upon the Fusengbuwa ruling house anchored by the chairman, deputy-chairman and vice-chairman who usurped the powers of the whole ruling house.

The committee found that the process of compiling and submitting candidate lists lacked transparency, due process, and proper screening. It highlighted a "manifest breakdown of unity, communication, and cohesion" among the leaders, accusing them of "usurp[ing] the powers of the whole ruling house" by failing to classify candidates according to established criteria.

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the fact-finding committee investigated issues within the ruling house and found that most of the Olorebis were involved in malpractices such as bribery.

The ruling house adopted the committee's report, voting for the immediate removal of the three leaders. Adeyemi stated that the family unanimously decided on the removal based on the committee's findings of malpractices, including bribery, in the selection process.

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