The estranged wife of the Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Chanel Chin, has dismissed the monarch’s allegation of plotting with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to assassinate him.
Bellnews reports that Oluwo had accused Ooni of setting him up with Chin, whom he was married to for three years.
The monarch alleged that during their marriage, his then-wife and the Ooni conspired to poison him and orchestrate multiple assassination attempts.
In response, Chin issued a statement via Instagram on Friday, describing the accusations as false, misleading, and damaging to the sacred Yoruba traditional institution.
She clarified that she was introduced to the Oluwo by a different monarch in Lagos and not the Ooni.
The statement read, “My attention has been drawn to recent allegations in the media, purportedly involving His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife. I categorically state that these claims are false, misleading, and damaging to our sacred Yoruba traditional institution.
“For the record, I was introduced to Mr Akanbi by a respected Lagos monarch, not by the Ooni of Ife. During my time as Olori Oluwo, I regarded this Lagos Monarch as my Royal Father and still do with respect. At no time did this monarch introduce me to Mr Akanbi for any malicious intent.
“I fondly recall visiting this monarch and his Olori in Lagos with Mr Akanbi and baby prince Oduduwa cherished memories.”
Chin also slammed the Oluwo, stating that the monarch has been a deadbeat father and only recently reconnected with their son since they left the palace.
She urged the public to disregard all falsehoods against the Ooni of Ife, emphasising that traditional institutions should caution Akanbi from further degrading the sacred throne.
She added, “Mr Akanbi has been absent from Prince Oduduwa’s life for over five years. He only resurfaced in August this year in Canada, refused to sign passport papers, but dropped $500, the first support Oduduwa ever received from him since we left the palace.
“Despite this, I have shouldered the full responsibility of raising my son, while always advocating for peaceful co-parenting. I therefore plead with the public to disregard all falsehoods against the Ooni of Ife, our foremost monarch.