The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the burial of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, warning that it may pursue legal action against the Ogun State Government and the monarch’s family for allegedly violating established traditional burial protocols for Yoruba kings.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Fayemi Fakayode; Public Relations Officer, Ayanladun Fajemisin; and Legal Adviser, Ifasola Opeodu, the ICIR criticized the decision to conduct Oba Adetona’s burial according to Islamic rites. The statement was released from Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to The PUNCH, Oba Adetona passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 and was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic customs—a move the ICIR described as a deviation from Yoruba tradition and a breach of existing legal provisions.
The Council emphasized that the proper traditional rites for the burial of a Yoruba monarch had previously been upheld by a court ruling while the late Oba was still alive. They insisted that this ruling, along with recent legislative measures, clearly supports the observance of traditional customs over religious alternatives.
The ICIR commended the Osugbo Confraternity of Ijebu-Ode for remaining calm in the face of what they termed a serious violation of cultural norms, describing their restraint as reflective of the teachings of Òrúnmìlà.
The group went on to accuse Islamic clerics, led by the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, of acting outside the bounds of the law. They described their involvement in the burial as an infringement on both legal and cultural standards.
Citing Part 8, Section 55, Sub-section II of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, the council argued that the burial proceedings were inconsistent with the state’s laws. They claimed this was not just a case of improper funeral rites, but part of a broader attempt to erode Yoruba cultural identity.
“This issue is larger than a burial. It is a symbolic attack on the traditions and values that define us,” the council stated, warning that such actions could serve as tools for cultural erosion by individuals with historical and ideological motives.
The ICIR called on the people of Ijebu-Ode and the wider Yoruba community to uphold and defend the sanctity of traditional leadership and cultural practices. They urged respect for the heritage embedded in the institution of Obaship, stressing that it is a sacred role that must not be compromised.
Lastly, the council condemned the alleged mistreatment of the Osugbo Confraternity by members of the late monarch’s family, government officials, and security operatives during the burial. It concluded by stating its intention to seek legal redress to prevent similar incidents in the future.
