The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, which is next in line to nominate a candidate for the Awujale throne, has filed a lawsuit against Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi for allegedly parading himself as the Olori-Ebi (head) of the family.
The case was instituted at the Ijebu-Ode High Court on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The current Olori-Ebi, Otunba Ajidagba Adedokun, accused Owoyemi of unlawfully claiming the position in disregard of a prior judgment delivered by Ijebu-Ode High Court II, presided over by Justice Asenuga.
The plaintiffs in the suit include:
- Otunba Ajidagba Adedokun of the Adeberu royal family
- Prince Adeleke Adeyemi of the Olufadi royal family
- Prince Ademola Sonaya of the Ayora/Tunwase royal family
All three are members of the Fusengbuwa lineage.
Adedokun insisted that Owoyemi has no ancestral connection to the historic Ile-Nla compound in Agunsebi, which is recognized as the seat of the Fusengbuwa ruling house. He listed the eight legitimate branches of the family as Olufadi, Ayora/Tunwase, Shenowo, Okuyandewo, Oshinuga, Adekenu, Adebiyi, and Adeberu.
He further alleged that Owoyemi hails from Ikoro-Ekiti, not Ijebu-Ode—a claim he said was affirmed by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Adedokun’s own appointment as Olori-Ebi was formalised on November 23, 2023, with notifications sent to the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the late monarch.
Speaking to journalists after filing the suit, Adedokun stressed that the legal action is aimed at stopping impersonation.
“The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is rooted in Agunsebi Ile-Nla, Ijebu-Ode. No one can rewrite that history. Chief Lateef Owoyemi admitted in open court before Justice Asenuga that he is from Ikoro-Ekiti. He has no claim to the Fusengbuwa headship,” he said.
The claimants are asking the court to restrain Owoyemi from further presenting himself as Olori-Ebi and to enforce earlier court rulings on the matter.