Mr. Sina Ogungbade (SAN), the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, was responding to the International Council for Ifa Religion’s threat to sue the government and the late Oba Adetona’s family for failing to follow customary funeral procedures.

Although it would be a complete waste of time and money for anyone to file a lawsuit against the government over Awujale’s burial in accordance with his religious convictions, Ogungbade (SAN) stated that it is still legal to hold the government responsible through the legal system.

In accordance with Islamic customs, Oba Adetona was buried on Monday, July 14, 2025, after passing away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.

The burial has sparked controversy, with traditionalists and the ICIR denouncing the government for defying custom.

Speaking at a media briefing in Ibadan, Oyo State, over the weekend, ICIR President Dr. Fayemi Fakayode and the Council’s legal representative, Ifasola Opeodu, allegedly called the burial a violation of both tradition and the law.

According to Fakayode, the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law’s Part 8, Section 55, Sub-section II, requires that traditional rites be used for kings’ funerals rather than religious ones.

He commended the Osugbo Confraternity for their restraint and criticized their marginalization as the keepers of last traditional ceremonies.

This challenges the foundation of Yoruba heritage and goes beyond the burial of a single monarch. According to Fakayode, disregarding our traditions is an outright insult to the cultural identity that makes up our people.

The council accused the late monarch’s family, government officials, and security operatives of stopping the Osugbo from executing their duties during the burial.

According to Opeodu, the funeral procedure is an attack on the religious freedom of adherents of traditional religions and a danger to democracy.

“It is an attack on the religious freedoms of indigenous faith adherents to disregard the traditional burial laws,” the council said.

Therefore, the ICIR reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Yoruba cultural practices in the handling of future royal funerals and pledged to seek legal action.
“If they want to sue, I will describe it as a welcome development,” Ogungbade (SAN) said when outlining the government’s position on the legal threat. People or organizations who believe the government has done something wrong should use the legal channels to voice their complaints and, if proven right, hold the government responsible.

But in this case, I’ll give them free legal counsel. Their stance stems from their lack of knowledge about the relevant legal framework. Their planned action will not accomplish anything since, according to what they have said, it cannot be grounded in anything.

“How can the decision of the deceased Awujale or his family to bury him in accordance with his faith and without interference from others, as guaranteed by law, be interpreted as an attack on the religious freedom of indigenous adherents?” the commissioner asked.

Their stance is absurd, to put it nicely. I hope they will be adequately advised by a lawyer who is well-versed in the law, or that reason will still win out. If and when they file a lawsuit, we will appear in court with them.
In an interview, Olowa Iberu and Chief Priest of Ijebu land, Chief Rasaki Osimodi, also discussed the traditionalists’ displeasure with what he called the government’s collusion with the late Awujale’s family.
Chief Osimodi stated, “It is particularly difficult because someone (the late Awujale) shared food and beverages with us, but when it came time for him to reimburse us, he claimed that he had to be buried in accordance with Islamic law.

According to the late king’s children, he did not hang out with traditionalists like us. However, we are aware that Kabiyesi participated in our ceremonies and that he neglected to pay for them.

They have now heavily populated the area with soldiers and cops. Who desires death? Therefore, everyone has taken a backseat and let them do whatever they want.

Although attempts to obtain the late Awujale family’s response to the proposed lawsuit failed, a senior palace official told our journalist, who wished to remain anonymous, that the commotion was pointless.

The Awujale family has been directed by the law, according to the source, and if somebody is upset about that, they should speak with the government that passed the legislation rather than the family.

“The noise is unnecessary anyhow; it’s what we call much ado about nothing.”