The Ogun State Government and the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, have been threatened with legal action by the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) over the monarch’s funeral.
The Islamic funeral ceremonies were said to have violated both the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law and traditional Yoruba customs, according to ICIR. In providing the deceased king with final respect and rites, the ICIR promised to rectify what they described as an anomaly and a deviation from the Yoruba tribe’s established traditional practice.
At a press conference on Saturday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, ICIR President Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode stressed that a prior court ruling had maintained Obas’s right to be buried in accordance with Yoruba custom.
The Osugbo Confraternity was also praised by the council for exercising self-control after being excluded from participating in the traditional funeral ceremonies.
“Following the recent controversy surrounding the burial rites of Oba Awujale of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, we at the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) commend the Osugbo Confraternity of Ijebu-Ode for their exemplary restraint and patience in the face of adversity. That is in fact a virtue that aligns with the noble teachings of Òrúnmìlà.
“This poignant moment reminds us that the gentleness of a lion is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to its wisdom and strength, as embodied in the proverb ‘Yíyọ́ ẹkùn; tojo kọ́’.
“Regarding the burial rites of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, it is essential to recall that the matter was settled while the late kabiesi was still alive, by a court of law and with the new bill passed in the state.
“Any actions contrary to this judgment and the laws of the land would be a disregard for the customs and traditions that have been the cornerstone of our heritage, there is no doubt that the burial was not in consonance with the law of the state and it is obvious that the burial arrangement contravened Part 8, Section 55, Sub-section ii of the Ogun State Chieftaincy law,” Fakayode said
Ifasola Opeodu, the council’s legal adviser, cautioned that the incident violates fundamental religious rights and may create a risky precedent for established institutions.
“We must acknowledge that our diversity is our strength and that our differences are what make our culture so rich and vibrant. “We condemn the disrespect shown to the Osugbo Confraternity during the event by the family of the late Oba, the Government officials and the security agencies concerned. “Furthermore, to prevent such occurrence in the future, we will take necessary legal actions.”
