Awujale: Investigation ongoing over bribery, financial inducement allegations - Police
The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said investigations into bribery and financial inducement allegations surrounding the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland are ongoing.
The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said investigations into bribery and financial inducement allegations surrounding the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland are ongoing.
The command added that it would not disclose details of the progress made or the number of individuals questioned in order not to compromise the investigation.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this to our correspondent.
“Investigation is still ongoing. I won’t talk about the number of persons interviewed,” Babaseyi said.
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There are concerns that the stalled selection process could trigger multiple litigations and delay the emergence of the next Awujale.
The Nation gathered that the police had invited some individuals to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for interviews, fact-finding, and clarification over allegations of bribery and financial inducement linked to the race for the Awujale stool.
The investigation followed a directive from the state government led by Governor Dapo Abiodun. In a letter dated January 20, 2026, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs instructed the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to suspend further steps in the selection process until further notice.
The kingmakers had been reviewing documents of 95 nominees submitted on January 19, 2026, by leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House—Otunba Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi (Olori Ebi), Prince Adedokun Ajidagba (Deputy Olori Ebi), and Professor Fassy Yusuf (Vice Chairman)—when armed security operatives reportedly stormed Ijebu Ode and sealed off the palace, preventing the scheduled meeting between the kingmakers and the nominees.
In the letter addressed to the chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, cited security concerns and the need to preserve public order and the integrity of the stool as reasons for the directive.
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The letter read, "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 sixty-five (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.
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"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 the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process."
