…Traditional Council Divided, As Olori Battles Oluyede Family
By Taoreed Alaba
An uneasy calm has enveloped Ayede-Ogbese, a community in Akure North Local Government over the demise of Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede (Iseoluwa The ll).
The late monarch who joined his ancestors in December 29th 2023 at the age of 65 passed on at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, Maryland in the United States of America, after two years of protracted illness.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the remains of the late Oba was deposited in a morgue by the Olori which we gathered was contrary to the tradition and culture of the people of Ayede- Ogbese.
The battle for the soul of Ayede Ogbese started when the community and the family demanded for the corpse of the Oba (from the Olori for burial according to the custom and tradition of the town.
However, the Olori we gathered rudely declined the request.
When she was put under pressure, she blocked every line of communication with the council of chiefs and the Oluyede family.
Olori- Funmi Oluyede, it was gathered started her own plan to single-handedly bury her husband without carrying any member of the family along in the burial arrangements.
The burial arrangement was done by her through an event planner without the input of the community and the Oluyede Ruling Family.
According to an inside source, a contractor, Engineer Rev. Omoniyi Olatunji was met digging two graveyards / Mausoleum simultaneously inside palace. One for the late Oba and the other for the living Olori.
The representative of the Oluyede family and members of the community however rejected such arrangement saying it is an abomination in Yoruba culture.
Olori Funmilayo Oluyede allegedly wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police alleging that the Oluyede Royal Family members are threatening her life and that of her children.
This prompted the Ondo State police command to send invitations to some members of the Oluyede family.
They were detained and later released on bail.
It was gathered that Oluyede Royal Family has officially notified the local government and state government through the Ondo State ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs respectively about the demise and planned traditional rites for Oba Oluyede.
The letter dated 21st of May, 2024. The family is seeking the cooperation and understanding of the state and local government in the course of events as the traditional and customary rites commences in August.
However, court documents seen by our correspondent shows that the Olori Funmilayo and her children are seeking to halt the IYARE and Oluyede family’s traditional rites proposal through a civil suit MAK/NO/474m/2024 filed at an Akure Magistrate court.
The children: Prince Adetumbi Ajibola-Oluyede, Prince Afolabi Oluyede, Princess Olufunto Oluyede-Cambell, Olori Olufunmilayo Ajibola-Oluyede and Prince Adekunle Oluyede (applicants) VS Prince Tunji Oluyede, Prince Gboyega Oluyede and Prince Reuben Oluyede (respondents) seeking court INTERIM ORDER binding the 1st – 3rd Respondents to maintain the peace and be of good behavior pending the time they are jointly or severally ordered to enter into a recognizance, with or without sureties for keeping the peace for a period not exceeding one year.
AN INTERIM ORDER OF INJUNCTION RESTRAINING the 1st – 3rd Respondents by themselves or through their privies from interfering with or disrupting the preparations
and arrangements for; and the final burial ceremony of the late Oba Ajbola Olaleye
Oluyede, the late Alayede of Ogbese, the 1st Applicant’s father coming up between 15h
August and 21 Auqust 2024 and keeping the peace for a period not exceeding one year.
In the affidavit signed by 2nd applicant, blood brother to the late Oba, Prince Afolabi Oluyede, a businessman who resides in America stated that the respondents are members of Oluyede family but not of the same stock\unit with the Applicants and the immediate past Alayede of Ogbese as there
are six units or stocks that make-up the Oluyede ruling house.
That while the 1st 3rd and 4th Applicants and other members of the immediate family of the late Oba Olaleye Oluyede of Ogbese are concluding financial arrangements for apposite final funerals; the traditional burial rites have also been perfected under the supervision of a staunch Olori supporter, Olisa of Ayede Ogbese, High Chief Femi Fajembimo.
Following the development, the IYARE, the Council of Chiefs has suspended High Chief Femi Fajembimo for gross misconduct, financial recklessness, insubordination, sacrilege and connivance with Olori Funmilayo Oluyede in announcement of the demise of the late Oba without carrying the IYARE along in the Oba funeral rites.
It was gathered that the issue in question is creating a negative feelings of panic and apprehension in the town.
Residents are now more concern about the consequences of not following the traditional rites for the late Oba of the town and the people.
It was also gathered that the Olori has been pushing for her first daughter to announced as a regent after the demise of her husband.
This according to a source is against the culture and tradition of Ayede Ogbese.
“Every male child from Oluyede Royal family is entitled to become king if due processes were followed.