Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has denied a story that he defrauded a US-based lady of $180,000.
A blogger recently claimed that the Ooni collected money from an Osun-born lady named Fagbule in a marriage fraud.
The post claimed that the traditional ruler has a rapport with the victim, who is supposed to be an Ile-Ife indigene.
According to the post, a US-based doctor attempted to organize a free medical service for women and children in Ile-Ife, but was allegedly scammed of $180,000.
In a statement published by Moses Olafare, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Ogunwusi disputed the charges, calling them “fake, untrue, and absolutely unfounded”.
Ogunwusi also denied having an interpersonal relationship with the lady.
The palace said Fagbule fell victim of scammers who pretended to be the monarch.
Ogunwusi also warned women against their desperation to become his wife.
The monarch added that the victim should have reported the incident to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) instead of going to social media.
“That the news as posted by a Twitter (now X) handle called “99% OPPRESSED” is fake, untrue, and absolutely an unfounded allegation only adopted as a nugatory character assassination tactic aimed at achieving a cheap popularity with a view to drawing huge followers/traffic for avaricious monetization from Twitter (X),” the statement reads in part.
“That the so called Mrs Fagbule was and is never known to the Ooni of Ife for any interpersonal communication or relationship whatsoever, talk less of being so promised with a marriage proposal.
“That if truly the lady so mentioned as Ms Fagbule is from Osun State or Ile-Ife in particular, why didn’t she come to the palace to meet Ooni in person throughout their co called relationship?
