The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has expressed strong disapproval over the burial rites conducted for the late Awujale of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, warning of imminent legal action against the Ogun State Government and the monarch’s family.
In a statement jointly signed by the Council’s President, Fayemi Fakayode; Public Relations Officer, Ayanladun Fajemisin; and Legal Representative, Ifasola Opeodu, the council described the burial arrangements as a violation of established traditional protocols and a contravention of the state’s legal provisions regarding royal funerals. The statement was issued in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Oba Sikiru Adetona passed on at the age of 91 on Sunday, July 13, 2025, and was interred according to Islamic rites—a decision that has sparked controversy across traditional and religious circles in Yorubaland.
The ICIR stated that the burial contradicted both judicial precedents and legislative provisions governing the transition of traditional rulers in Ogun State. Referring specifically to Part 8, Section 55, Sub-section (ii) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, the council insisted that the law mandates the conduct of burial rites for Obas in accordance with Yoruba customs and traditions, rather than foreign religious doctrines.
The statement reads in part:
“This issue transcends a mere burial rite; it represents a challenge to the very fabric of our customs and traditions. Any action contrary to this judgment and the laws of the land is a blatant disregard for the cultural heritage that defines the Yoruba people.”
While commending the Osugbo Confraternity of Ijebu-Ode for what it called their “exemplary restraint and patience,” the council sharply criticised the conduct of Islamic clerics and the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, accusing them of acting in contravention of both cultural expectations and the law.
“The Islamic clergies, as led by the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, violated the law of the land and demonstrated a lawless disregard for our traditions. Their actions are part of a larger agenda to erode indigenous practices and supplant them with foreign ideologies,” the council asserted.
ICIR further alleged that the burial events reflect an ongoing strategic effort to undermine Yoruba cultural identity, warning that such actions could lead to the erosion of longstanding values and sacred institutions.
“The institution of Obaship is not merely ceremonial; it is a sacred custodianship of our heritage. Choosing to become an Oba means upholding the customs, not defying them,” the statement continued.
The council concluded by condemning the alleged disrespect shown to the Osugbo Confraternity by government representatives, security agencies, and the royal family during the burial proceedings. ICIR pledged to pursue all necessary legal avenues to address the matter and prevent a recurrence in the future.
“To safeguard the integrity of our tradition and forestall future violations, we are prepared to initiate legal proceedings,” the statement added.
The development has sparked renewed debate on the intersection of tradition, religion, and governance in Nigeria’s sociocultural landscape, particularly within Yoruba land where Obaship remains a deeply revered institution.