AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Oyerinade Ruling House in Iware, Afijio Local Government Council Area of Oyo State, has expressed satisfaction over the decision of the state government to direct Alhaji Abdulrasheed Owode Adeniyi Adetunji not to parade himself any longer as the Oniware of Iware, in view of the disputes and legal challenges trailing his appointment.
The state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, in a letter to Adetunji through the Executive Chairman of Afijio LGA, dated May 24, 2024, made available to journalists, asserted that the process of appointing him was inconclusive and also being disputed in court.
He was, therefore, warned to stop parading himself as the Oniware of Iware until the determination of the matter in the law court.
Adetunji, who was allegedly put in the position in 2020 by some people in the palace of Alaafin of Oyo without government approval, had reportedly applied for staff of office with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters but was suspended from acting in the capacity of an Oba.
The document through which he was suspended, titled, ‘Re: letter of application for staff of office and coronation,’ signed by Olajide A.M, (Director, Chieftaincy Matters) on behalf of the Commissioner, directed that the request in Adetunji’s application should be put on hold pending the determination of court.
The letter with reference Number CB/141/173/4Vol IV/210, read in part that “The Ministry of Justice has reviewed the history of the matter, including previous legal advice and court cases, and concluded that the process of appointing you as the new Oniware had not been completed and is still subject to court proceedings.
“In light of this, the Ministry advises that the request for presentation of staff of office and coronation should be put on hold pending the determination of the court.
“In the light of the above revelation, you are hereby warned to stop parading yourself as the Oniware of Iware pending the determination of the court. This is in line with the legal advice received from the Ministry of Justice.”
In its reaction, the Oyerinade Rulling House in Iware via a press release dated October 1, 2024, signed by Prince Moses Akinade Ifekunle, Prince Onaolapo Ajibade, and Prince Olunide Adedibu Opafunmilayo, expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for the suspension.
The Oniware Chieftaincy Family, therefore, declared that “since there is no Oniware of Iware on throne at present, no one is authorized to sell Iware land.”
The royal family warned members of the public who showed interest in the ancestral land of Iware, “not to accept any land in Iware from him (Alhaji Abdulrasheed Owoade Adeniyi Adetunji) as replacement because the Oyerinade Ruling House of Iware has not authorized any sales of their land.”
In light of this, the royal family advised that “Those people should rather demand the refund of their money.”
