Origin Obas Give Oluwo of Iwo 21‑Day Ultimatum to Substantiate Allegations Against Ooni or Face Lawsuit!

Origin Obas Give Oluwo of Iwo 21‑Day Ultimatum to Substantiate Allegations Against Ooni or Face Lawsuit!

Reported by Marian opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Royal fathers from Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, operating under the collective banner Origbo Meje Obas, have issued a formal 21‑day ultimatum to Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi. They demand that he provide substantiated evidence for his recent allegations against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, or face legal action.

What They’re Saying

• In a communique released Thursday, the Origbo Meje Obas called Oluwo’s public claims “defamatory, destabilizing, and unbecoming of a monarch.”
• They argue that if the accusations are unverified or based on rumor, he should retract them and apologize to maintain the dignity of Yoruba traditional institutions.
• If Oluwo fails to comply within 21 days, the royal fathers say they will file a lawsuit seeking damages and retraction. Background of the Dispute
• Earlier in 2025, Oba Akanbi publicly alleged that the Ooni is plotting his downfall, despite his role in aiding the Ooni’s ascendancy. He also claimed the Ooni contributed to his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas. [1]
• The Ooni’s camp has consistently described the claims as baseless and politically motivated. [2]
• Other traditional rulers, such as the Obalufe of Ife, have publicly dismissed Oluwo’s remarks as “driven by external interests” aimed at creating discord. [3] What to Watch
• Whether Oluwo will publish evidence (documents, recordings, witness testimony) within the timeframe.
• If court action is initiated, how the courts handle defamation vs customary immunity for monarchs.
• The response from the Ooni’s palace, and whether they escalate the conflict or seek mediation.
• Possible involvement of state government institutions (e.g. Osun State Council of Obas) to defuse the crisis.

If you like, I can also draft a legal analysis section on how such royal disputes are handled in Nigerian law and previous cases.

Citations:

1. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/ooni-plotting-my-downfall-oluwo-alleges/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/why-ooni-oluwo-are-at-war/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Ife City Blog: www.ifecityblog.com/2025/03/oluwos-claims-baseless-driven-by-external-interests-obalufe-of-ife.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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