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Ijesaland: Loja of Igbo Ikin – A Sacrilege against Ijesa traditions

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2024

By Omo-Oba Femi Omoniyi

On Saturday, 9th November, just weeks before the end of the traditional mourning period for the late Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, a descendant of the Ajimoko family in the Bilaro Ruling House, was installed as Loja of Igbo Ikin in Ijesaland. This act has sparked controversy, with many seeing it as a sacrilegious disregard for the customs and traditions of the Ijesa people.

In Ijesaland, it is customary to observe a respectful mourning period following the passing of a monarch, especially one as esteemed as the Owa Obokun. During this time, activities like installing new leaders are avoided to honour the memory of a departed king.

Prince Haastrup’s decision to proceed with his installation as Loja, despite these longstanding customs, raises questions about his commitment to Ijesa traditions! Indeed, one wonders why Prince Adesuyi Haastrup and his cohorts would disregard such tradition. It should however not come as a surprise as Prince Haastrup openly declared his interest as an aspiring candidate for the Owa throne early during the mourning period.

To have gone ahead with his installation as Loja is a strong signal of perceived lack of understanding of Yoruba and Ijesa traditions – the very traditions, an Owa would be expected to uphold! The role of Loja is traditionally held by a candidate in preparation for the Owa title, akin to a Duke before becoming king. Both the late Owa Adekunle Aromolaran and Owa Peter Agunlejika were installed as Lojas only after being selected as Owa Elect.

By proceeding with his installation during the mourning period, Haastrup appears to be bypassing these protocols, calling into question his understanding—or respect—of the cultural significance attached to the process. The desperation exhibited by Adesuyi Haastrup is a reminder of the fact that the Ajimoko-Haastrup family, having been the last two beneficiaries of the Owa stool in the Bilaro Family, are once again trying to usurp the other families in the BIlaro ruling House and technically obliterate them.

Beyond the violation of tradition, Haastrup’s actions have fuelled speculation about political influence. Currently, it is widely rumoured across Ijesaland that he is being advanced as a government candidate. This stems from his close ties with the Adeleke family, having once served as Deputy Governor to the late Isiaka Adeleke, and may also explain his confidence in proceeding with the installation as Loja.

I want to believe that the government of Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke will distance itself from such a candidate and refrain from imposing any candidate on the Ijesa people. Many Ijesa citizens are urging the current administration of Governor Adeleke to respect the autonomy and traditions of Ijesaland, a land which spans six local governments and holds considerable cultural significance among the Yoruba race.

Furthermore, the speculated involvement of Oba Samson Oyeleye, the Ogboni of Ipole, in Haastrup’s installation has also raised eyebrows. As one of the Iwarefa responsible for overseeing the selection of the next Owa, his role in the installation has led to questions of his dedication to Ijesa customs as well as his non-partisanship in the selection process.

It is deeply troubling when those entrusted to safeguard our traditions and customs are the very ones deemed to be complicit in actions that appear to undermine our long-held heritage.

The community of Ijesa elders, the Agba Ijesa, has yet to publicly address this situation, leaving one wondering why the Bilaro Princes who have publicly signified intent and interest in the Owa stool have not been called to order. Could this silence reflect a worrying detachment of the Agba Ijesa from the traditions that have long governed Ijesa society?

Flagrant disregard of traditions and customs will lead to invocation of the “alale Ijesa” (gods of Ijesaland) to deal with all those who overtly or inadvertently desecrating the land. Both royals and commoners will ultimately be held accountable for their actions in this regard.

In the end, Ijesa sons and daughters remain vigilant, watching closely as events unfold and awaiting a commitment from their leaders to respect the sanctity of their traditions and heritage.

Omoniyi is a public affairs analyst.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

4 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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