DSS summons ruling family chiefs over Awujale stool
DSS summons ruling family chiefs over Awujale stool
The Department of State Services, Ogun State command, has reportedly invited three officials of the Fusengbuwa ruling house over the alleged sale of expression-of-interest forms to aspirants to the vacant stool of Awujale of Ijebuland.
The stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of the 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
Our correspondent gathered that those invited were the Chairman of the ruling house, Abdulateef Owoyemi; the Deputy Chairman, Oladokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.
A letter circulating online, reportedly signed by Yemi Oloto, directed the three officials to appear at the DSS state office in Abeokuta on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 4 pm.
The letter read, “I am directed to invite you for a meeting with the State Director of Security (SDS), Department of State Services (DSS), Ogun State, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, today, 29th October, 2026, 1600 hours (4 pm).
“The meeting is in furtherance of investigating activities in respect of the sale of expression-of-interest forms to interested princes for the vacant stool of Awujale of Ijebuland.
“Kindly note that an officer has been designated at the main gate to facilitate entrance clearance into the premises. Accept the Director’s best wishes, please.”
Yusuf confirmed receiving the invitation but said he was in Abuja attending to a matter at the Supreme Court and could not honour it.
The professor of mass communication and lawyer said, “I just received the letter from the DSS not long ago, but I am in Abuja attending to a matter at the Supreme Court. I have discounted their letter.”
Ajidagba also confirmed receiving the invitation at about 2.30 pm on Thursday.
He said, “I received the DSS invitation on Thursday at about 2.30 pm, and I was told to report at their office by 4.30 pm. There was, however, no way I could honour such an invitation when all of these matters are already in court. The status quo must be allowed to remain; that is the position of the law.”
Recall 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, 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.
He, alongside Ajidagba and Yusuf, also instituted legal action against the state government over its suspension of the process in January.
About two months ago, the Fusengbuwa ruling house dragged Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Awujale kingmakers and five others before the High Court in Ijebu-Ode, seeking orders compelling the completion of the selection process for the next Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The suit, numbered HCJ/149/2026 and dated August 21, 2026, was filed by Owoyemi, Ajidagba and Yusuf.
Other defendants include 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.
Also joined as defendants are members of the Awujale Afobaje/Kingmakers Council: Olorogun Sonny Kuku, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, Chief Oluwaranti Lekan Osifeso, Chief Jimi Lawal, Chief Abimbola Okenla, Chief Kunle Ogunade, Chief Agboola Alausa, Chief Adebisi Adaran and Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja.
The claimants are asking the court to determine whether the state government had the legal authority to order or facilitate the alleged entry into and locking of the Awujale Palace on January 20, 2026, “to physically prevent” the kingmakers from convening and concluding the statutory selection process for the new monarch.
Meanwhile, Abiodun on Tuesday 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 at the Ogun East Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting in Ijebu-Ode, where he engaged representatives of various interest groups on traditional affairs, governance and the district’s economic prospects.
On the succession process, Abiodun was quoted as saying that his administration was committed to facilitating “a smooth, peaceful and widely acceptable process” leading to the emergence of a new monarch.
The governor acknowledged the importance of the Awujale institution to the cultural heritage, identity and unity of Ijebuland, urging the people to remain calm and patient as the necessary processes were concluded.
He said his administration was giving the matter the attention it deserved to ensure that the process was completed peacefully and that the emergence of a new Awujale enjoyed the acceptance and support of the people.
The Ogun State Government had halted the selection process in January 2026, citing petitions from security agencies and stakeholders, following an earlier suspension over procedural concerns in December 2025.
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.
