The relationship between the Owa-in-Council and the children of the immediate past Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, has soured over alleged mismanagement of funds provided for the monarch’s burial rites.
Family members expressed displeasure over what they described as undue financial burdens imposed on them by the Owa-in-Council, citing “phantom rites” following the monarch’s passing.
In response, Chief Bola Orolugbagbe, the Odole Owa of Ijesaland, dismissed the allegations, saying, “Tell them to name the chiefs that are extorting them. That’s all. We are free, so they should provide the names of those chiefs, and you can publish them in your newspaper, online, or elsewhere.”
He added, “It’s a free world, so let them name the people, so anybody that seems offended like Afe Babalola can take action, can take any legal, civil or criminal action against them. It’s either civil or criminal defamation.”
However, the late monarch’s kinsmen, represented by the Aleki of Ileki-Ijesa, the Onikedun of Ikedun-Ijesa, and Elder Adebisi Aromolaran, claimed they were coerced into paying exorbitant fees under duress.
In a statement signed by the monarch’s biological children and other family members, they decried the alleged lack of transparency and accountability in the use of burial funds and criticized the council’s separate funeral ceremony as divisive.
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The family revealed that threats of spiritual repercussions were made to compel payments and raised concerns about the management of condolence funds, which reportedly amounted to millions of naira.
They stated that the chiefs’ lack of openness on these funds has caused tension and mistrust.
“Regrettably, this uncertainty resulted in a failure of Owa-in-Council chiefs’ duty of care towards the immediate family of Owa Aromolaran II. Rather than providing guidance and support, the chiefs resorted to demanding frivolous payments and engaging in actions that amounted to extortion.
“This disorganised and coercive approach placed an undue burden on the family during an already difficult time. The chiefs explicitly threatened that the rites would not be performed unless these payments were made.
“The family was placed under immense duress and compelled to make the payment as demanded by the chiefs for the traditional burial rites.
“Evidence of these payments is retained. Despite the numerous challenges, the family remained cooperative with the chiefs to uphold the cultural and traditional significance of the rites.
“However, even after receiving these funds, conflicts of interest among the chiefs resulted in the emergence of factions. These factions further harassed the family with additional unexplained demands, often accompanied by threats of spiritual repercussions for non-compliance, compounding the strain on the family.
“Since the passing of Owa Aromolaran II, numerous dignitaries, traditional societies, and community members have paid condolence visits to the palace, contributing significant financial donations and other gifts. Reports indicate that these donations amount to several millions of naira.
“Information from some elders confirmed that traditional rites bills were usually settled with such funds. However, there has been a glaring lack of transparency regarding how these condolence funds have been managed or allocated by the Owa-in-Council”, the family said.
Additionally, the family criticized the introduction of an unexpected 90-day mourning period, which conflicted with their plans for a “Celebration of Life” event for the late monarch.
They alleged that this change caused financial and logistical challenges, including the withdrawal of sponsorship commitments under apparent pressure from the chiefs.
“This narrative had not been mentioned in any prior discussions with the family and was accompanied by the announcement of separate dates (14th and 15th December 2024) for their own events, which the family only recently became aware of via informal channels including rumours making the rounds on social media platforms.
“These actions appeared to undermine the family’s well-advanced plans for the Celebration of Life on 23rd and 24th November 2024”, they said.
The family accused the chiefs of sabotage, claiming they discouraged others from supporting the planned celebration and manipulated public narratives for ulterior motives, including potential mismanagement of expected government support.
“As events unfolded, it became clear that the chiefs had differing agenda. While they publicly claimed to be observing a mourning period, their actions painted a contradictory picture.
“Several chiefs were openly seen at celebratory events, including birthdays, chieftaincy award ceremonies, and other leisure activities, which are counterintuitive to the solemnity expected during a mourning period.
“These actions called into question the sincerity of their narrative and further strained the relationship between the family and the council.
“Meanwhile, the chiefs continued with the serious propaganda being circulated on social media against the children and family’s plan to celebrate the Life and Times of their father, the Late Owa Aromolaran II, on the 23rd and 24th November 2024, referring to the mourning period as the reason.
“All these in our opinion have some other hidden agenda beyond mourning. Probably the interest is in the expected government support to the programme, which may also be mismanaged like the condolence funds.
“The chiefs’ actions extended beyond public contradictions and entered the realm of direct sabotage. They actively worked to dissuade others from supporting the family.
“For instance, a popular brewery company, which had initially promised to support the family, unexpectedly withdrew its commitment two days before the event. This last-minute disappointment, which appeared to be influenced by external pressures from the chiefs, added significant strain to the family’s efforts to honour the late monarch’s legacy.
“It is regrettable that some members of the traditional council have chosen to act in ways that contradict the values of integrity and communal harmony that Oba Aromolaran II championed.
“However, the family refuses to be divided or discredited by unfounded allegations or the manipulation of facts.
“The Bepo-Aromolaran dynasty remains united in its purpose, standing as one, and we are grateful to everyone who has supported us in ensuring that Oba Aromolaran II’s memory is celebrated with the dignity and respect he richly deserves.
“As we move forward, we call for accountability, transparency, and mutual respect among all stakeholders.
“We appeal to the Ijesa community and well-meaning individuals to disregard false narratives and join us in preserving the legacy of Oba Aromolaran II as a beacon of unity, tradition, and progress for generations to come”, the family appealed.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE