Palace corrects mix-up, affirms Owa of Igbajo alive

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The palace of the Owa of Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State has dismissed reports circulating on social and traditional media claiming that the town’s monarch has passed on.

In a statement signed by the traditional secretary of the Royal Court of Igbajo, Gbonjubola Loremikan Olorunnisola, the palace described the rumour as misleading and clarified that the incumbent Owa of Igbajo, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Ademola Stephen Kayode Makinde, Onigemo I, is alive and hearty.

The palace said the false report triggered panic, prompting several phone calls and visits from concerned Nigerians seeking confirmation of the monarch’s wellbeing.

It noted that the case between the late Philip Adegboyega Famodun—whom some media outlets referred to as Owa of Igbajo—and the incumbent monarch is still pending before a court of law.

According to the statement, there is an ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal in Akure against the judgment of the High Court in Ile-Ife, while a stay of execution filed at the High Court is yet to be heard.

The palace said the status quo remains, adding that both parties to the case appeared in court on 13 November 2025, after which proceedings were adjourned to January 2026.

It, however, expressed sadness over the death of Prince Philip Adegboyega Famodun, describing him as an irreplaceable son of Igbajo who worked tirelessly to leave an indelible mark in the community.

It will be recalled that Famodun was installed and presented with the staff of office on 24 November 2022 by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, but his appointment later became disputed after a White Paper issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke paved the way for the installation of Oba Ademola Makinde as his replacement.