The Ogunsua of Modakeke, His Royal Majesty Oba Joseph Olu Toriola Ajibise Ogo I, has forcefully denied recent allegations accusing him of orchestrating an assassination attempt and sponsoring the destruction of property belonging to a fellow traditional ruler. Describing the claims as “fabricated, baseless, and a calculated smear campaign,” the Osun monarch says the truth will prevail over mischief.
The counter-allegation came in response to a startling claim by Oba Adeyinka Adeshina Obawale, who refers to himself as the Oluoje of Ojenpetu. Obawale alleged that he narrowly escaped a brazen assassination attempt on April 24, 2025, when four armed men ambushed his vehicle in the Olanrewaju area of Modakeke. He claimed the assailants struck his vehicle with rifle butts, shattering the windshield, before he managed to escape.
Obawale further accused the Modakeke monarch of ethnic profiling, alleging that Oba Toriola labelled him and his followers—displaced from Gadumo, Kogi State—as Fulani settlers attempting to infiltrate Osun State.
“We were planning to begin farming and settlement activities in Okuomoni land in Ife North LGA, where we already had a resettlement agreement with HRM Oba Odedoyin Michael Taiwo, the Olomoni of Okuomoni,” Obawale explained. “Suddenly, I was attacked. I survived by God’s grace.”
In a strongly worded rebuttal issued by Chief Kola Olabisi, Chairman of the Ogunsua Palace Media Committee, the palace dismissed Obawale’s accusations as “malicious falsehoods crafted to incite tension, drag the revered Ogunsua’s name through the mud, and disrupt the peace of Modakeke.”
“Our attention has been drawn to the deceitful claims of one Mr. Adeyinka Adeshina Obawale, who fraudulently parades himself as ‘Oba’ and the Oluoje of Ojenpetu,” the statement began. “His outlandish story, suggesting that our monarch attempted to assassinate him and is prejudiced against Fulani settlers, is an absolute falsehood, lacking any iota of truth or logic.”
The palace emphasized that Oba Toriola is a law-abiding, peace-loving royal father who is committed to the security and unity of Modakeke and its neighbours.
“Oba Toriola is too enlightened and too legally conscious to sponsor any form of violence. If there was an incident involving Mr. Obawale, it is for security agencies to investigate. Dragging the palace into it is a desperate bid to gain sympathy and media attention,” Olabisi added.
The palace went on to suggest that Obawale’s grievances stem from clashes with law enforcement, not from the actions of the Ogunsua or his subjects.
“Modakeke is home to people from all walks of life, including Fulani. Our objection is only to individuals who constitute threats to public safety, regardless of their tribe or religion. No one, not even a self-imposed monarch, will be allowed to turn our peaceful town into a haven for criminals,” the statement continued.
While calling on the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser to intervene, the palace announced that legal steps are underway to hold Obawale accountable for what they described as “character assassination and incitement.”
“Our monarch will not be distracted by a political pawn being used to destabilize the harmony we’ve built over the years. We will meet him in court and let the law expose the truth,” the palace declared.
As tensions brew between the two traditional leaders, observers are calling for calm and for security agencies to thoroughly investigate the claims and counterclaims in order to forestall a communal crisis.
PIONEER NEWS 