Oba Adekolajo Aladeseyi, Okilorigbokun II, the newly installed Olujare of Ijare in Ifedore local government area, has been arrested for assuming the position of Oba without authorisation.
Oba Aladeseyi was arrested along with four other chiefs on Wednesday evening by the Ondo State Government.
The embattled monarch was installed on April 17th, 2025, and was to begin a 30-day traditional rite before being arrested.
The Ijare community has been without a ruler since 2011, when the last king, Oba Adebamigbe Oluwagbemigun, died.
All efforts to install a new king have failed due to a dispute between the ruling houses and court processes.
However, the Aarinmo of Ijare and head of Sejeokun Ruling House of Ijare, Chief Oluwole Oni, in a petition to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said Ijare kingmakers and Chiefs were forced at gunpoint at about 2:30am to perform the installation.
He said the community would be thrown into crisis if the installation were allowed to stand.
Ondo Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, who confirmed the arrest, said the installation of Aladeseyi was illegal and fraudulent.
“There was impending crisis in the community. Some kingmakers were compelled to go to the installation. Such a thing should not be allowed. Such could lead to communal clash. It can lead to total breakdown of law and order. This should serve as a warning to others who will wake up and take laws into their hands. We will make sure the extant laws are obeyed.”
