The Ogun State Government stated on Monday that it is unaffected by legal threats from any party or individual disputing the burial of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, which was carried out in accordance with Islamic pratices.
Mr Sina Ogungbade (SAN), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, was reacting to the International Council for Ifa Religion’s threat to sue the government and the late Oba Adetona’s family for violating traditional burial customs.
Ogungbade (SAN) stated that while it would be a waste of time and resources for anyone to file a lawsuit against the government over Awujale’s burial based on religious beliefs, it is still within the scope of the law to hold the government accountable through judicial processes.
Oba Adetona died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 and was laid to rest on Monday, July 14, 2025, according to Islamic rites.
The burial has sparked controversy, with the ICIR and traditionalists denouncing the government for violating traditions.
Dr Fayemi Fakayode, President of the ICIR, and Ifasola Opeodu, the Council’s legal counsel, reportedly denounced the burial as a violation of both tradition and the law during a media briefing in Ibadan, Oyo State, over the weekend.
According to Fakayode, Part 8, Section 55, Sub-section II of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law requires the employment of traditional ceremonies over religious alternatives when burying rulers.
He condemned the sidelining of the Osugbo Confraternity—custodians of final traditional rites—and praised them for their restraint.
“This is not just about the burial of one king; it is a challenge to the core of Yoruba heritage. Ignoring our customs is a direct affront to the cultural identity that defines our people,” Fakayode said.
The council accused the late monarch’s family, government officials, and security operatives of preventing the Osugbo from performing their role during the burial.
Opeodu described the burial process as a threat to democracy and an assault on the religious freedom of traditional religion practitioners.
“The refusal to follow the traditional burial laws amounts to an assault on the religious freedoms of indigenous faith adherents,” the council stated.
The ICIR has pledged to seek legal redress and uphold Yoruba cultural traditions during future royal funerals.
The government’s stance on the legal threat is described by Ogungbade (SAN) as “welcome”.
“Individuals or groups who feel that the government has acted in any manner should take advantage of the opportunities existing in law to air their grievances and, if they are found to be correct, hold the government accountable.
“However, in this instance, I will offer them free legal advice. Their position is steeped in ignorance of what the law is on the matter. Their contemplated action will achieve nothing, as from what they have stated, it cannot be based on anything.”
The commissioner said, “How can the choice of the deceased Awujale or that of his family to bury him according to his faith and without disruption by anybody, as guaranteed by law, be stretched to amount to an assault on religious freedom of indigenous adherents?
“Their position, to put it mildly, is laughable. I hope that reason might yet prevail or that they will be properly advised by a legal practitioner who understands the law fully. If and when they sue, we will meet them in court.”
In an interview, Olowa Iberu and Chief Priest of Ijebu land, Chief Rasaki Osimodi, expressed the traditionalists’ displeasure with what he described as the government’s collusion with the late Awujale’s family.
Chief Osimodi said, “It is really painful because there was someone (the late Awujale) who ate and drank with us, but when it was time for him to pay us back, he said he must be buried according to Islamic injunction.
“It was the government that signed an agreement with Baba Awujale stating that he must be buried according to Islamic rites. If not for the government’s backing, the Osugbo society would have taken possession of the body — because, traditionally, it belongs to them.
“The late king’s children claim he did not associate with us, the traditionalists. But we know that Kabiyesi did partake in our rites — and he left obligations unpaid.
“Now they’ve brought in a heavy presence of police and soldiers. Who wants to die? So, everyone has stepped back and allowed them to do as they please.”
Efforts to reach the late Awujale family for comment on the planned legal action were futile, but a high palace official who talked to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said the fuss was all for nothing.
The source said, “The Awujale family has been guided by the provision of the law, and if anyone is angry over that, the person should confront the government that enacted the law and not the family.
“In any case, the noise is needless; it is what we call much ado about nothing.”
