A leadership crisis in the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebuland has taken a new turn as four principal officers have filed a suit against 12 family members. The claimants, including Chairman Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, Deputy Chairman Otunba Dokun Ajidagba, Vice Chairman Prof. Fassy Yusuf, and Secretary Pastor Jeremiah Salami, are seeking legal protection against their alleged removal from office. They approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode, filing a suit marked HCJ/167/2026, dated September 16, 2026.
The suit challenges allegations of financial inducement and manipulation levelled against the claimants in connection with the selection process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland. The four leaders are seeking N1 billion in general damages against the defendants for allegedly unfounded claims that could damage their reputation. They are also requesting a perpetual injunction to stop the defendants from parading themselves as leaders or representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. The defendants include prominent family members such as Pa Olusegun Olusoga and Ridwan Oduneye.
According to the claimants, their leadership structure was established following a resolution at a meeting of the ruling house on November 7, 2025. This meeting followed an earlier gathering convened by the Ogun State Government on November 6, 2025. At the meeting, three separate units of the ruling house were merged into one, with Owoyemi, Ajidagba, and Yusuf unanimously recognised as principal leaders. The leadership handled the nomination of candidates for the vacant Awujale stool on behalf of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
The claimants submitted that a list of nominated candidates was forwarded to the Awujale Kingmakers, led by Chief Olorogun Dr Sunny Kuku. However, a breakaway group within the family, including some defendants, formed an alleged illegal fact-finding committee in June 2026. This committee investigated financial inducement allegations against the leadership, leading to a meeting on August 9, 2026, where they purportedly removed Owoyemi, Ajidagba, and Yusuf from their positions.
The claimants alleged that the defendants notified Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and other stakeholders of their purported removal in a letter dated August 11, 2026. They also urged the state government not to deal with the claimants as representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. The defendants announced the appointment of Otunba Olukayode Otufale as the “Single Unified Olori-Ebi” of the ruling house in a letter dated September 2, 2026.
The claimants rejected these developments, describing the changes as invalid. They argued that no lawful general meeting had been convened to remove them from office, and no valid resolution had been passed to appoint another person in their stead. The claimants are seeking judicial intervention to protect their positions and reputations within the ruling house. The case is ongoing at the Ogun State High Court.
The crisis within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has significant implications for the selection process of the new Awujale of Ijebuland. The court's decision will likely determine the legitimacy of the leadership structure and the process for selecting the new monarch. The case has attracted attention from various stakeholders, including the Ogun State Government and traditional leaders in Ijebuland.
Key points
- The Fusengbuwa Ruling House leadership crisis may impact the selection process of the new Awujale of Ijebuland.
- The claimants are seeking N1 billion in damages and a perpetual injunction against the defendants.
- The court's decision will determine the legitimacy of the leadership structure within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
