The Department of State Services (DSS), Ogun State Command, has invited the three principal officers of the Fusengbuwa ruling house over the alleged sale of expression of interest forms to aspirants seeking to become the next Awujale of Ijebuland. The selection process for the vacant stool, which became vacant in July 2025 following the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, has been marred by controversy, litigation, and repeated postponements. The DSS has summoned Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, chairman of the ruling house; Otunba Dokun Ajidagba, deputy chairman; and Prof. Fassy Yusuf, vice chairman.
The DSS letter, signed by an officer, directed the three family heads to appear at the DSS state office in Abeokuta at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The letter stated that the meeting was in furtherance of investigations into activities relating to the sale of expression of interest forms to princes interested in contesting for the vacant stool of Awujale of Ijebuland. Prof. Yusuf confirmed receiving the letter but said he was attending to a matter at the Supreme Court in Abuja and could not honour the invitation.
Otunba Dokun Ajidagba, the deputy chairman of the ruling house, also confirmed receiving the DSS invitation at about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. Ajidagba said he was told to report at their office by 4:30 p.m., but there was no way he could honour such an invitation when all these matters are already in court. The status quo must be allowed to remain, that is the position of the law. Daily Trust reports that security agencies, including the Ogun State Police Command, had twice summoned nine Ijebu-Ode kingmakers and the three ruling house officials to appear at the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The summons were over allegations of bribery and financial inducement in connection with the selection of a new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland. Owoyemi has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the selection process during media engagements. He, alongside Ajidagba and Yusuf, has also instituted legal action against the state government over its decision to halt the selection process in January. The Fusengbuwa ruling house had also dragged Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Awujale kingmakers, and five others before the High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode.
The suit, numbered HCJ/149/2026 and dated August 21, 2026, was filed by Owoyemi, Ajidagba, and Yusuf. Also joined as defendants were the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN); the Ogun State Executive Council; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; and the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government. Other defendants include members of the Awujale Afobaje/Kingmakers Council.
On Tuesday, Governor Abiodun reassured the people of Ijebuland that a new Awujale would emerge before May 29, 2027. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the governor gave the assurance on Tuesday at the Ogun East Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting in Ijebu-Ode. He engaged representatives of various interest groups on traditional affairs, governance, and the district’s economic prospects.
The governor acknowledged the importance of the Awujale institution to the cultural heritage, identity, and unity of Ijebuland, appealing to the people to remain calm and patient while the necessary processes were being concluded. A total of 95 aspirants—94 princes and one princess—emerged from the ruling house’s nomination process held in Ijebu-Ode in December 2025 before the government halted the selection process.
Key points
- The Ogun State DSS has invited three principal officers of the Fusengbuwa ruling house over the alleged sale of expression of interest forms for the Awujale stool.
- The selection process for the vacant Awujale stool has been marred by controversy, litigation, and repeated postponements.
- Governor Abiodun has reassured the people of Ijebuland that a new Awujale would emerge before May 29, 2027.
