The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has come under heavy criticism on social media following claims by Nollywood actor James Olarenwaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, that the monarch gifted him a brand-new car, luxury items and a chieftaincy title after the birth of his son.
Baba Ijesha made the announcement on his social media pages, expressing gratitude to the revered monarch for what he described as a warm royal reception and fatherly support extended to him and his wife, fashion designer Abiodun Tokunbo, popularly known as Luminee.
In his appreciation message, the actor thanked the Ooni for the honour, saying the monarch’s kindness and encouragement meant a great deal to his family.
However, the announcement quickly sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning the decision to honour the actor, who was convicted in 2022 over the sexual assault of a minor.
Several social media users argued that such recognition sends the wrong message to society and undermines the values traditional institutions are expected to uphold.
An Instagram user, identified as @cutie_juls, described the alleged gesture as “sad and disturbing,” questioning the basis for conferring a chieftaincy title and presenting gifts to someone with Baba Ijesha’s criminal record.
The user argued that while former inmates deserve opportunities to reintegrate into society after serving their sentences, honouring them with prestigious traditional titles immediately after their release could diminish the moral standards associated with such recognitions.
On Facebook, another user, Oliver John, expressed disappointment, insisting that chieftaincy titles should be reserved for individuals who exemplify integrity, honour and exemplary character.
Similarly, Eluwande Bode described the reported gifts as a case of misplaced priorities, arguing that leaders should be more careful about the messages their actions send to the public.
Despite the backlash, others defended Baba Ijesha, maintaining that he had served his prison sentence and deserved a second chance.
A Facebook user, Ola Christopher, argued that if society could forgive and rehabilitate individuals involved in more serious crimes, Baba Ijesha should also be allowed to rebuild his life after completing his jail term.
Another supporter, Adeniran O. Oladipupo, said the actor’s recent experiences reflected a new chapter in his life, expressing hope that he would move forward positively.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ooni’s palace had not issued an official statement responding to the controversy surrounding the alleged gifts and chieftaincy title.
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