The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has declared its intention to initiate legal action against the Ogun State Government and the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, over what it described as a breach of traditional and legal protocols in the burial of the revered monarch.
Oba Adetona, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites—a move that has stirred significant controversy among traditional religious institutions and custodians of Yoruba culture.
Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday, the President of ICIR, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, alongside the Council’s legal representative, Barrister Ifasola Opeodu, condemned the burial method, calling it a gross violation of both cultural norms and existing laws governing the conduct of royal burials in the state.
Fakayode referenced an existing court judgment which affirms that traditional rulers in Yoruba land must be buried according to indigenous customs and not according to foreign religions such as Islam or Christianity. He described the Islamic burial of the Awujale as an outright breach of Part 8, Section 55, Sub-section II of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law.
He also praised the Osugbo Confraternity—the traditional custodians responsible for performing the final rites for the Awujale—for exercising restraint and maintaining peace despite being prevented from executing their cultural responsibilities.
“By enforcing Islamic burial rites for Oba Adetona, the Ogun State Government acted in defiance of established legal and traditional procedures,” Fakayode stated. “We salute the Osugbo Confraternity for their patience in the face of such a significant cultural affront. As Òrúnmìlà teaches, true strength lies in measured wisdom—just like the lion, whose calmness should not be mistaken for weakness.”
He warned that what transpired during the Awujale’s burial was more than a ritual oversight; it represented a deliberate undermining of Yoruba heritage. He called on all Yoruba sons and daughters, particularly those in Ijebu-Ode, to rise in defense of the sanctity of their customs and the traditional institution of Obaship.
“The role of an Oba is not merely ceremonial—it carries with it deep cultural significance that demands absolute respect for the traditions it represents. The blatant exclusion of traditional rites during this burial sends a dangerous message and poses a threat to our collective identity as a people.”
He went on to condemn the perceived hostility shown towards the Osugbo Confraternity by the late monarch’s family, government officials, and security agents. He promised that the ICIR would take necessary legal steps to prevent future violations of this kind.
Echoing these sentiments, Barrister Ifasola Opeodu described the conduct of the Ogun State Government and the Awujale’s family as a threat to both democracy and religious freedom. He emphasized that traditional religion practitioners, like their counterparts in Islam and Christianity, are entitled to equal respect and protection under the law.
“The burial that took place was not only unconstitutional but an affront to the fundamental rights of traditionalists. It reflects a deeper lawlessness and disregard for indigenous belief systems,” Opeodu argued. He accused Islamic clerics, led by the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, of disregarding local statutes in their participation.
He concluded by asserting that the traditional institution is a legal entity governed by existing laws—unlike what he described as the unchecked practices of religious groups. He assured the public that the traditionalists, through ICIR, would pursue justice and accountability through the courts.
