The crisis within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has taken a fresh legal turn as the Vice Chairman of the ruling house, Chief (Prof.) Fassy Yusuf, has dragged 11 members of an alleged breakaway faction before the Ogun State High Court.
Yusuf, a university lecturer and legal practitioner, is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages over alleged defamatory publications which he claimed have damaged his reputation.
The suit, marked HCJ/153/2026, was filed on August 24, 2026, at the Ogun State High Court, Ijebu Ode Judicial Division.
Named as defendants are Pa Olusegun Olusoga, Ridwan Odunrye, Muyiwa Adeleye, Alhaji Taiwo Ajumo, Sikiru Adegunwa, Hon. Kehinde Lawal, Logunleko Oludare, Prince Abdul Onalaja, Ashiru Mufutau, Prince Osiyemi Johnson and Prince Adeleke Adeyemi.
At the centre of the dispute is a document titled “Report of the Fusengbuwa Fact-Finding Committee,” dated August 9, 2026.
Yusuf is challenging alleged statements contained in the report, particularly allegations bordering on financial inducement, bribery and manipulation of documents, describing the claims as false, defamatory and injurious to his reputation.
He is also asking the court to declare that the purported fact-finding committee was unlawfully constituted and lacked the authority to investigate or make binding findings against him.
The claimant is further seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing or circulating what he considers defamatory materials against him.
In addition, Yusuf wants the defendants compelled to publish a full and unconditional retraction and apology in national newspapers, social media platforms and other outlets where the alleged defamatory statements were circulated.
He is also demanding ₦5 million as legal costs.
The legal battle adds another layer to the prolonged crisis within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, one of the recognised ruling houses in Ijebu Ode and the house expected to produce the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland under the current succession arrangement.
The succession process has remained contentious following the death of the former Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 after a historic 65-year reign.
Attempts by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to commence the process of selecting its candidate for the vacant throne have been characterised by disagreements and legal challenges, culminating in the suspension of the selection process by the Ogun State Government.
With the latest ₦10 billion defamation suit now before the High Court, the internal dispute within the ruling house appears set for another round of legal scrutiny.
The defendants are expected to respond to the claims, while the court is yet to assign a date for hearing.
