The Supreme Ifa Council of Nigeria has announced its decision to initiate legal action against the Ogun State Government and the Awujale family regarding the contentious burial rites of the late monarch, His Royal Majesty Oba [Name], the Awujale of Ijebuland.
The dispute stems from a disagreement over traditional burial protocols that the Ifa Council insists must be strictly observed in accordance with indigenous customs and Ifa spiritual injunctions. According to the Council, certain rites conducted by the Ogun State authorities and members of the Awujale family are inconsistent with sacred Ifa traditions, potentially undermining the spiritual sanctity of the monarch’s passage to the ancestral realm.
In a formal statement released today, the Ifa Council emphasized the importance of preserving Yoruba cultural heritage, asserting that the monarch’s burial rites are not only a family matter but a collective cultural and spiritual obligation to the people of Ijebuland and Yorubaland at large.
“We have repeatedly sought dialogue and mutual understanding with the Ogun State Government and the Awujale family to ensure that the burial rites align with the ancient and sacred Ifa laws,” said Chief Adewale Afolabi, spokesperson for the Supreme Ifa Council. “Regrettably, our appeals have been overlooked, compelling us to pursue judicial redress to protect our culture and religious rights.”
The Council is calling on all stakeholders to respect the spiritual authority of the Ifa oracle in matters of traditional leadership and rites. It also urges the public to remain calm and avoid actions that may escalate tensions surrounding this sensitive issue.
The Ogun State Government and the Awujale family have yet to respond to the Council’s announcement. However, sources close to the royal household describe the ongoing disagreement as a “complex interplay of tradition, politics, and community expectations.”
This lawsuit underscores broader questions about the interplay between traditional institutions, government authorities, and indigenous religious bodies in Nigeria today.