The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has called on the Awujale kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode to appear at its headquarters in Eleweran for questioning, with the exercise set to commence on Monday.
Nine individuals make up the council of Awujale kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode, including the Regent of Ijebuland, the Ogbeni Oja, Chief Sunny Kuku; Chief Adebisi Adaran; Chief Abimbola Okenla; and Balogun Agboola Alausa.
Kuku, a medical doctor and co-founder of Eko Hospital in Ikeja, heads the kingmakers and chairs the Awujale Interregnum Committee.
It was gathered that while three of the kingmakers are currently abroad, six remain in Nigeria.
Among those in the country, four have already received formal invitations from the police, according to information obtained on Friday evening.
One of the invitation letters reviewed by correspondents was dated April 17, 2026, though it had been delivered a day earlier through the Igbeba Area Command of the police.
The document requested the affected kingmakers to attend an “interview with the Commissioner of Police through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran.”
Referencing an alleged case of bribery and financial inducement from February 2026, the letter indicated that the meeting was part of an ongoing fact-finding investigation.
The development has reportedly stirred anxiety across Ijebuland, with residents questioning the reasons behind the renewed police action.
The letter partly reads: “In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran Abeokuta, Ogun State on Tuesday … at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.
“This is a fact finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.
“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of Criminal Justice delivery and fairness.
“Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your Lawyer.”
The stool of the Awujale became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who died at the age of 91 after reigning for 65 years.
Before the Ogun State Government halted the process, a total of 95 aspirants—comprising 94 princes and one princess—from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had emerged during a nomination exercise in Ijebu-Ode.
Sources suggest that the latest police invitations may not be unconnected with controversies surrounding the selection of a new Awujale.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is next in line to produce the monarch, but the process has faced repeated setbacks. The administration of Dapo Abiodun reportedly suspended the exercise twice, citing procedural lapses and numerous petitions.
Earlier police invitations to the kingmakers over the same matter were halted midway, allegedly following intervention by the state government, before investigations resumed again in mid-April.
A source familiar with the situation alleged that the governor was behind what he described as the continued “persecution” of the kingmakers, accusing the state government of frustrating the selection process.
“They have invited the kingmakers to Eleweran again. The problem is that we don’t know why. They did it before and stopped, then started again.
“The letters were sent yesterday (Thursday). Some of us have received ours through the Igbeba Area Command, Ijebu-Ode.”
Meanwhile, Owoyemi, who also holds the title of Otunba Jadiara of Ijebuland, appealed to the governor to lift the suspension and allow the selection process to proceed.
Owoyemi said: “I have equally heard about this latest police summon but I can’t confirm if it is rumour or true. I am only begging Governor Dapo Abiodun as the father of all to allow reasons to prevail and let us have the new Awujale on time.
“What the Ijebu people want is a new Awujale that will consolidate on the enviable and the enduring legacies of selfless service of our highly revered father and late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. May the Almighty Allah rest his soul.”
Attempts to obtain an official response from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, were unsuccessful as of press time, although sources indicated he might not yet have been briefed on the latest development.
