The people of Igbogila, a community in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, have said they no longer recognise five people who were earlier removed as chiefs and members of the Igbogila Council of Chiefs.
In a disclaimer signed by the Otunba of Igbogila, Chief Semiu Akinlolu, and other chiefs, the community said the five individuals were removed and replaced by the late Olu of Igbogila, Oba Ebenezer Olanloye, before his death in 2024. They were removed over allegations of financial misconduct.
The affected individuals are Mr. Yinusa Atanda Ajibade (former Bashorun of Igbogila), Mr. Adams Ajibade (former Ajaguna), Mr. Semiu Bammeke (former Elemo), Mr. Oladele Asipa (former Asiwaju Odo), and Mr. Fatai Olowo (former Aro of Igbogila).
The palace said the removed chiefs have taken the matter to court but have continued to present themselves as legitimate members of the Igbogila Council of Chiefs while the case is still pending.
Chief Akinlolu described their actions as surprising, saying that people involved in a court case are expected to maintain the status quo until the court gives a final judgment.
According to the disclaimer, the removed chiefs have been presenting themselves to organisations such as the MultiDoor Court and cement companies including Dangote Cement, E-Block Cement, Diamond Cement and BUA Cement, as if they are still recognised chiefs.
The community said the disclaimer was issued to correct the record and warned the public and corporate organisations not to deal with the listed individuals on any matter relating to Igbogila. It added that anyone who deals with them does so at their own risk and advised the public to contact the palace to know the officially recognised chiefs of the town.
Reacting to the disclaimer, one of the removed chiefs, Oladele Asipa, said his suspension and removal were illegal. He claimed that some princes took advantage of the late monarch’s old age and poor health to manipulate palace affairs and forge official documents.
Asipa said the late Olu had been battling age-related health issues since 2020, which reduced his involvement in palace activities. He alleged that certain individuals used the situation to suspend some chiefs without following due process.
He explained that under Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, a panel of enquiry must be set up to investigate allegations before any chief can be suspended, but this was not done in their case. He added that invitations to appear before a panel were only sent after the suspension had already taken place.
Asipa further claimed that the late king was not physically fit to preside over palace meetings and may have been made to sign documents without fully understanding them. He said forensic tests carried out by the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos showed that the signatures on the suspension and removal letters were not those of the late monarch.
He said the matter is still in court and that the law requires the status quo to be maintained until the case is decided. He insisted that he remains the legitimate Asiwaju Odo of Igbogilaland until the court gives its final judgment.
Also speaking, Ajibade Adams, son of Mr. Yinusa Atanda Ajibade, said the matter is already before a court of law and added that the issue had previously been explained to the public.
