Osun Court Halts Burial of Asiwaju of Ifetedo Chief Moses Ayanbeku

Osun State High Court Orders Halt to Asiwaju of Ifetedo’s Burial

The Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife has issued an interim injunction halting the planned burial of Chief Moses Ayanbeku, the Asiwaju of Ifetedo, pending further legal proceedings.

Presiding Judge Justice A.O. Adeniji granted the order following an application by Mrs. Gifty Ayangunilayo Fagunwa (née Ayanbeku), who sought to stop burial arrangements for her father. The court specifically directed the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife not to release Chief Ayanbeku’s remains to family members or their representatives.

The injunction restrains all 17 named respondents, including Chief Ayanbeku’s 14 children and grandchildren led by Hon. Ayandiran Ayanbeku, from proceeding with any burial-related activities. The court also barred the Registered Trustees of Ife Diocese, Anglican Communion, and its Bishop, Rt Rev. Olubunmi Akinlade, from conducting funeral or burial services.

Originally scheduled between April 22 and 26, 2025, the burial has been put on hold following the court’s ruling. The order prohibits the defendants and their agents from conducting any funeral service, burial rite, commendation service, or religious ceremony related to the deceased.

The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine at Obafemi Awolowo University is also among the respondents barred from releasing the remains for burial purposes.

The court has fixed April 20, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice to determine the substantive issues in the case. This legal intervention has effectively frozen all burial preparations and arrangements for the prominent community leader in Ifetedo, Osun State.