Yoruba nation: How alleged fraud divided self-determination movement

THE SUN

The apex Yoruba self-determination group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide (IOOW), which has been leading the agitation for an independent Yoruba nation, has been sharply divided into two groups over alleged fraud and embezzlement.

The fresh facts emerged within the past days over the developments that have left some people confused on the happenings in the leadership of the organisation.

Saturday Sun investigation revealed that the crisis started in the group, long before December 5, 2022, when the IOOW leader, Prof Banji Akintoye, an Emeritus Professor of History and Second Republic Senator, resigned from the organisation.

In the resignation letter, Akintoye cited old age and a weakened body system as reasons for his action. He, however, announced his successor, Prof Wale Adeniran, who was until the announcement, the deputy chairman of IOOW, as the new chairman

Akintoye apologised that he resigned from the management of IOOW when the movement was in crisis. He prayed that Adeniran, a retired Assistant Professor of African Studies and the pioneer Commissioner for Education in Osun State, would bring everyone together and resolve all contending issues.

Prior to Akintoye’s resignation, Adeniran too had resigned from the executive of the organisation in November 2022, citing matters of principle as the reason for his resignation. But the worldwide congress of IOOW, held on December 17, 2022 accepted Akintoye’s resignation and affirmed Adeniran as the new leader of the group. But he accepted the mantle of leadership from Akintoye for the group.

But On January 7, 2022, news went viral that Adeniran has also resigned from IOOW, which was the second time within two months that he would resign. He also resigned as a member of the group and suspended his participation in the Yoruba self-determination struggle.

He hinged his resignation on the allegations of corruption slammed against him by a Cotonou-based bureau de change agent and Personal Assistant to Prof Banji Akintoye, Mr. Kabir Adebayo, fondly called Obalola, who had responded to the allegation that Akintoye mismanaged funds being paid into his account by well-meaning Yoruba people worldwide to support the struggle.

According to Obalola, as quoted by Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, the former Communication Secretary of IOOW, 70 per cent of the money sent into his account by supporters of the self-determination struggle worldwide allegedly went into Prof Wale Adeniran and his wife’s accounts.

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