The Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, has removed Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa over allegations of illegal removal and sale of community property.
The announcement was contained in a statement personally signed by the Owa Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
According to the statement, the dethronement of Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi followed findings by the Committee on Resolution of Chieftaincy Disputes, Land and Sundry Matters, which investigated a petition against him for unlawfully removing two electric transformers, 300KVA and 500KVA, from the post office at Atakumosa Market in 2023.
The Owa Obokun said the transformers served Araromi, Adeti, Palace and Odo Osunmu communities, and were carted away without the permission of the previous monarch, the late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, who had rebuked Chief Gbadamosi for the act.
Despite repeated orders by the late Owa Obokun to return the transformers, the embattled Oba-Odo reportedly failed to comply. Upon assumption of office, Oba Haastrup said he directed the Committee to revisit the matter after receiving fresh petitions from affected communities.
During the Committee’s sitting, witnesses including the Iyaloja of Atakumosa Market, Chief Mrs Awe, and the Youth Leader of Araromi Community, testified against Chief Gbadamosi.
The Iyaloja alleged that he offered her ₦750,000 to sign documents confirming the sale of the transformers, which she declined. The Youth Leader also claimed the chief attempted to bribe him after removing the transformers with a hyab truck at night.
Chief Gbadamosi reportedly confessed to selling one of the transformers, a 300KVA unit, for ₦120,000, while claiming he used the proceeds to transport the second transformer to Ibadan for repairs.
The Committee had given him thirty days to retrieve and return both transformers, but he allegedly failed to do so. Following his noncompliance, Oba Haastrup issued another one-week ultimatum, which was also ignored.
“His failure to obey simple instructions and his unlawful sale of community property is unbecoming of a high chief in Ijesaland,” Oba Haastrup said in the statement.
“In order to preserve the culture and tradition of Ijesaland, Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi is hereby removed as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa. He should cease to parade himself as such, vacate the chieftaincy house, and the public is advised not to recognise or deal with him in that capacity,” the monarch declared.
The Owa Obokun further directed that the chieftaincy house remain locked until further notice.
