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Owa-Obokun of Ijesa-land, Late Oba Adekunle Aromolaran II
The family of the immediate past Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, late Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, has accused members of the Owa-in-Council of acting contrary to the values of communal harmony and integrity the departed monarch was known for.
The allegation was contained 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), organised by biological children of Oba Aromolaran II and the Bepo Aromolaran Dynasty of Ijesaland,’ made available to The PUNCH on Thursday by Adebayo Adedeji on behalf of the family.
The Aromolaran family said after the passage of the monarch, rather than providing guidance and support, the chiefs
resorted to demanding “frivolous payments and engaging in actions that amounted to extortion.”
The statement further read, “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 was placed under immense duress and compelled to make the payment as demanded by the chiefs for the traditional burial rites. Evidence of these payments is retained.
“Despite the numerous challenges, the family remained cooperative with the chiefs to uphold the cultural and traditional significance of the rites.
“However, even after receiving these funds, conflicts of interest among the chiefs resulted in the emergence of factions.”
The late Oba Aromolaran’s family also alleged that the chiefs made efforts to sabotage the events organised to celebrate the departed monarch despite being properly informed of the events by them.
Lamenting that some members of the traditional council chose to act in ways that contradicted the values of integrity and communal harmony that Oba Aromolaran championed, the royal family said it would remain united and refused to be divided or discredited by unfounded allegations or manipulation of facts.
“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 family said.
But when contacted, the spokesperson for Owa-in-Council, the Odole Owa of Ijesaland, Chief Bola Orolugbagbe, urged those accusing the chiefs of extortion to make public the names of those that approached them for money.
He said, “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. So let them name the chiefs and publish the names, that is all I have to say.”
