- The International IFA Religious Committee expressed strong opposition to the funeral of the late Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and vowed to take legal action against the Ogun State government.
- Oba Adetona died on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the age of 91 and was placed behind the Islamic tradition.
The International IFA Religious Council (ICIR) expressed strong opposition to the burial of the late Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, vowing to take legal action against the Ogun state government and the monarch family, allegedly suspected of violating traditional burial customs.
Oba Adetona died on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the age of 91 and was placed behind the Islamic tradition. However, ICIR insists that this contradicts Yoruba’s cultural law, which governs the funerals of traditional rulers.
In a press conference Saturday, ICIR President Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode and the group’s legal counsel, barrister Ifasola Opeodu, accused the state authorities and the late king’s family of involved in neglecting constitutional and cultural duties related to the royal funeral.
Fakayode cites a previous court ruling that stressed that the traditional monarch of Yorubalam must be buried after an indigenous ceremony, rather than foreign religious practices such as Islam or Christianity.
He also admitted that despite allegedly being eliminated in the process, the Osugbo Confraternity showed peace (traditionally accused of burial rituals) to avoid confrontation.
“The decision to bury Oba Adetona during an Islamic ceremony blatantly violates the second part of Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, Part 55, Part 55, Part 55,” Fakayode said. “We praise the Osugbo Alliance for its calmness and maintenance of the spirit of maintaining «rúnmìlà, even under provocation.”
He further stressed that the issue went beyond burial preferences, warning that continuing to ignore traditional customs could erode the cultural foundations of the Yoruba people.
“It’s not just about funerals. It’s about protecting our collective identity. Destroying these customs threatens the structure of our heritage,” He warned.
Fakayode also condemned the actions of law enforcement officers and state officials during the funeral, describing their treatment of traditionalists as rude and unacceptable.
Supporting the Council’s position, Barrister Opeodu stressed that the actions of the state, relatives of the deceased and religious pastors are not only culturally inappropriate, but also legally exist.
“These actions violate the rights of traditional religious practitioners and raise serious concerns about democratic principles,” Opeodu said. “What happens at funerals is illegal and has a very disrespectful attitude toward our cultural institutions.”
He specifically criticized the involvement of Ijebu-Ode and other priests’ Imam chiefs, accusing them of promoting illegal acts by ignoring national regulations.
Opeodu concluded that the ICIR will introduce legal proceedings to ensure that all parties concerned are held accountable and to prevent future violations of Yoruba traditions.
