Late Aromolaran’s Family, Ijesa Chiefs Clash Over Funeral Levy
The family of the late Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, has accused members of the Owa-in-Council of engaging in actions they described as extortionate and contrary to the communal harmony and integrity upheld by the late monarch.
The allegations were detailed in a statement titled, “Response to Various Publications Concerning the Just Concluded Celebration of Life Events for His Imperial Majesty, Late Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LLD, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland (Owa Aromolaran II).”
It was released on Thursday by Adebayo Adedeji on behalf of the Aromolaran family.
The statement claimed that after the monarch’s passing, the chiefs demanded “frivolous payments” for traditional burial rites, resorting to threats if the payments were not made.
But the spokesperson for the Owa-in-Council, Chief Bola Orolugbagbe, dismissed the claims of extortion, challenging the family to name the specific chiefs involved.
“Tell them to name the chiefs that are extorting them. That’s all. We are free, so they should just provide the names of those chiefs. The Owa-in-Council is not an individual. Let them name the chiefs and publish the names—that is all I have to say,” Orolugbagbe said.
In their statement, the family flayed the chiefs for alleged extortion, decrying “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 said.
The family also alleged that despite making the payments under duress and retaining evidence of the transactions, internal conflicts among the chiefs created factions, further complicating the burial process.
The late monarch’s family accused the chiefs of attempting to sabotage the events organised to honour the late Oba Aromolaran’s memory, even after being duly informed of the plans.
“Some members of the traditional council acted in ways that contradicted the values of integrity and communal harmony that Oba Aromolaran championed. Despite these challenges, the family remains united and refuses to be divided or discredited by unfounded allegations or manipulation of facts,” the family said.
Expressing gratitude to those who supported the celebration of Oba Aromolaran’s life, the family vowed to uphold the legacy of the late monarch.
“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,” the statement said.
