Awujale: Investigation on over bribery, financial inducement allegations, say police
Ogun State Police Command has said investigation into the bribery and financial allegations rocking the selection process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland is still ongoing. It said it would
Ogun State Police Command has said investigation into the bribery and financial allegations rocking the selection process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland is still ongoing.
It said it would neither disclose the progress being made in its investigation nor give the numbers of persons so far quizzed in connection with the allegations, so as not to jeopardise the process.
Spokesperson for the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, made this known to our correspondent.
“Investigation is still ongoing. I won’t talk about the numbers of persons interviewed (on the matter),” Babaseyi said.
There’s concern that the way the selection process has been bogged down can plunge the stool into a subject of multiple litigations and put Ijebuland at the risk of not having the next Awujale any time soon.
The Nation reports that the police invited some individuals to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for interview, facts - finding and clarifications regarding allegations of bribery and financial inducement over the race for the stool of Awujale of Ijebuland.
The investigation came days after Governor Dapo Abiodun-led state government, through a letter by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, dated 20, January, 2026 ordered the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to halt further steps on the selection process of the next Awujale until further notice.
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The kingmakers were working on the piles of documents belonging to 95 nominees submitted to them on January 19 by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House leaders - Otunba Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi (Olori Ebi), Prince Adedokun Ajidagba (Deputy Olori - Ebi), Professor Fassy Yusuf (Vice Chairman) when armed security operatives poured into Ijebu Ode in scores and barricaded the palace, making it inaccessible for the planned meeting between the kingmakers and the nominees.
Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, who signed the letter and addressed it to Ijebu Ode Local Government chairman, cited security concern and the need to protect public order and the integrity of the stool as reasons for the decision for stopping the kingmakers from doing their jobs.
The letter reads: “I write in respect of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of ljebuland.
“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yoruba land generally and in Ogun State particularly, where it is one of the paramount stools. Further, the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona -who reigned for 65 years-significantly enhanced the modern esteem and prestige of the stool. These realities place a lot of focus, attention and scrutiny on the next Awujale and the process by which he emerges.
“In this regard, the state government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process. In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time.
“In taking this decision, government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empower it to set aside an appointment of if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so.
“Thus, given the reports at its disposal, government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety.
“Therefore, the state government hereby directs that you convey this decision to Awujale Kingmakers Council and Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
