The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has removed three of its prominent leaders following the adoption of a fact-finding committee’s report on alleged financial inducement, document manipulation and other irregularities in the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

Those removed are the Chairman of the ruling house, Chief Lateef Owoyemi; Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Adetokunbo Yusuff; and Deputy Vice Chairman, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba.

The decision was announced on Sunday after a nine-member fact-finding committee submitted its 25-page report on allegations surrounding the compilation and submission of candidates for the vacant Awujale stool.

The Secretary of the ruling house, Prince Adeleke Adeyemi, disclosed this during a meeting held at the Agunsebi Family House in Ijebu-Ode.

Adeyemi said the committee was constituted about two months ago following petitions alleging bribery and other irregularities against the three leaders in connection with the selection process.

He said the committeee was chaired by Prince Olusegun Olusoga, while Adeyemo Oduneye served as secretary.

Presenting the report, Oduneye said only Owoyemi appeared before the committee, while Yusuff and Ajidagba did not honour its invitation.

He said the committee found that the process of compiling and submitting the candidates’ list lacked transparency, due process and proper screening.

“There is a manifest breakdown of unity, communication, and cohesion among the trio acclaimed Olori-Ebis,” Oduneye said.

He alleged that the three leaders failed to classify the candidates in accordance with the Awujale Declaration, which, according to him, requires candidates to be identified according to the relevant lines.

Oduneye said the committee recommended that the three leaders step aside in the interest of peace, unity and respect for the Awujale institution.

The ruling house subsequently adopted the report and voted for their immediate removal.

The committee chairman said the decision was based on the findings of the investigation into the allegations before the panel.

“The fact-finding committee investigated issues within the ruling house and found that most of the Olorebis were involved in malpractices such as bribery.

“The committee presented its findings at today’s meeting, and the ruling house reached a unanimous decision that they should be removed,” he said.

Adeyemi said the ruling house would communicate the decision to the government and begin the process of selecting new leaders to oversee the affairs of the family.

Oduneye said the allegations against the three leaders included financial inducement, support for particular candidates and alleged manipulation of documents submitted during the selection process.

He maintained that the process, as handled by the three leaders, lacked credibility, adding that their removal was necessary to restore confidence in the process.

According to him, even if the development requires the selection process to begin afresh, the priority should be ensuring that the process is transparent and produces an Awujale capable of serving the interests of Ijebuland.

“It all boils down to the leadership failure, so the Ijebu people need to relax and be patient. It’s better we do it well than to rush at it and present the wrong result,” Oduneye said.

However, Yusuff rejected the committee’s findings and urged members of the public to disregard the decision.

He described the committee members as “rabble-rousers and confusionists” and said there was no truth in the allegations against him.

Yusuff threatened legal action over what he described as defamatory allegations and questioned the propriety of Adeyemi presiding over the meeting, alleging that the ruling house secretary was also an aspirant to the Awujale throne.

“How could somebody under you set up a panel to probe you? Probe you for what? Who are they?” he asked.

Yusuff also denied involvement in the compilation of the candidates’ list, saying the committee had used his conference room for the exercise without his participation.

Owoyemi also rejected the committee’s findings and denied any wrongdoing in the selection process.

He described the committee members as “a bunch of rebels” and said their decision lacked substance and was aimed at dividing the ruling house.

Owoyemi also questioned Adeyemi’s role in the meeting, alleging that he was an aspirant to the throne.

“Their allegations are baseless, unfounded and should be ignored by members of the public,” he said.

Prince Ajidagba could not be reached for his reaction at the time of filing this report. (Nigerian Tribune)

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