Adefaka Royal Family halts final burial planning indefinitely, says “invitation in circulation not from us”

By THOMAS ABIRHIRE, Asaba and OUR REPORTERS, Akure and Abuja

“We have further taken a step to report any act of hooliganism being planned by unscrupulous elements either within or outside the family circle to appropriate law enforcement agencies. This family would, in all sincerity, not turn a blindspot of its eyes to various clandestine meetings being held at different places or locations not for any purpose but to initiate an act that could cause coup de grace to the bond among the children of late Adefaka.”

The Adefaka Royal Family, a branch of Abibiri Ruling House and Ojijigogu Ruling House of Isolo and Akure kingdoms, respectively, has announced the cancellation of the planned final burial ceremony of their late banker-father, Alhaji Kasumu Daniel Yesufu Adefaka, who died on Saturday January 4, 2025.

Chairman/Head of the royal family, Prince Babatunde Adefaka, made this known in an audio broadcast released on the family’s platform on Saturday July 26, 2025.

He said, “To the chagrin of our family, there is an invitation card in circulation even sent to us using one of our lowest age family member, inviting members of the public to a purported final burial ceremony of our late father. As the natural chairman and head of this family, I am officially saying it that this planning though using our chosen dates is not by us.

“I, therefore, declare that all such arrangements based on that invitation are null and void. And I used this opportunity to urge all of you, my younger brothers and sisters of this noble Adefaka Royal Family, that none of you should allow any external forces to use him or her to destroy the family and good legacy of our late father.”

According to a notice released by the media office of the family signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, Secretary/PRO, The Adefaka Royal Family dated Monday July 28, 2025, directive by the family was clearly stated.

“The Adefaka Royal Family now under Prince Babatunde Saliu Adefaka as its Chairman/Head of Family and Prince Bashir Adefaka as its Secretary/PRO is pressurized to fly the family in accordance with the laid down instructions of its late patriarch, Alhaji Kasumu Daniel Yesufu Adefaka.

“All external elements trying to cause confusion and division among the surviving children of this family should be told that our father has since been buried and, so that, they should keep off THE ADEFAKA ROYAL FAMILY matters because we are the only ones vested with all powers, constitutionally, Islamically and even customarily, to protect the image of the family.

“We have further taken a step to report any act of hooliganism being planned by unscrupulous elements either within or outside the family circle to appropriate law enforcement agencies. This family would, in all sincerity, not turn a blindspot of its eyes to various clandestine meetings being held at different places or locations not for any purpose but to initiate an act that could cause coup de grace to the bond among the children of late Adefaka.

“Posterity will ask them if these evils they are plotting against the children of their own bread winner will be their contribution to his family after his death.

“We won’t talk to them directly as family. They will hear from us if they dare,” the notice said.

According to our reporters, Alhaji Adefaka, born May 25, 1920, served North in Trust Bank and Cooperative Bank with some of his former banking colleagues and close friends including Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru, former Deputy Governor of Ondo State during the Olusegun Agagu Administration, and was top official of Ondo State Cooperative Produce Marketing Union (OSCPMU), before retiring from service in 1983.

Papa Adefaka was survived by 23 among who are former banker Prince Babatunde Adefaka, former Michellin Tyres official, Prince Oluwatayo Adefaka, former Leventis manager and currently logistics manager, Prince Oluwole Adefaka, Ondo State Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, Prince Akinsehinwa Sakariyau Adefaka, stockbroker and agrobusiness entrepreneur, Olusola Adefaka, Matron Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Princess Florence Adefaka-Ibitoye, and CEO/Editor-in-Chief, The DEFENDER Newspaper, Prince Bashir Adefaka, among many others.