The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, next in line to present a candidate for the Awujale throne has filed a lawsuit against Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi over alleged impersonation as the Olori-Ebi (head) of the family.
In a suit lodged at the Ijebu-Ode High Court on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Olori-Ebi, Otunba Ajidagba Adedokun, accused Owoyemi of unlawfully parading himself as the family’s head, contrary to a previous ruling of Ijebu-Ode High Court II before Justice Asenuga.
The claimants include Adedokun of the Adeberu royal family, Prince Adeleke Adeyemi of the Olufadi royal family, and Prince Ademola Sonaya of the Ayora/Tunwase royal family; all under the Fusengbuwa lineage.
Adedokun asserted that Owoyemi has no ancestral link to the Ile-Nla compound in Agunsebi, the historic seat of the Fusengbuwa house. He listed the ruling house’s eight recognized branches as Olufadi, Ayora/Tunwase, Shenowo, Okuyandewo, Oshinuga, Adekenu, Adebiyi, and Adeberu.
He further claimed that Owoyemi hails from Ikoro-Ekiti and not Ijebu-Ode, a position allegedly affirmed by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. Adedokun said his own appointment as Olori-Ebi was ratified on November 23, 2023, with official notification sent to the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and to the late monarch.
Speaking to journalists after filing the court documents, Adedokun maintained that the suit aims to stop impersonation.
“Fusengbuwa Ruling House is rooted in Agunsebi Ile-Nla, Ijebu-Ode, no one can rewrite that history,” he said. “Chief Lateef Owoyemi admitted in open court before Justice Asenuga that he is from Ikoro-Ekiti. He has no claim to the Fusengbuwa headship.”
The claimants are asking the court to restrain Owoyemi from presenting himself as Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and to enforce earlier court directives on the matter.
