“In a petition dated September 22, 2025, and addressed to the Director-General of the SSS, Falana accused the Alaafin and his palace aides of subjecting the late chief and members of his entourage to severe torture that allegedly led to Arounfale’s death days later.
Nigeria’s foremost human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, and his law firm, Falana & Falana Chambers, have petitioned the State Security Service (SSS) over the alleged brutal assault and eventual death of Chief Lukmon Suleiman Ojora Arounfale, the Baba Oba of Oyotunji Village in the United States, following a visit to the palace of the Abimbola Akeem Owoade.
In a petition dated September 22, 2025, and addressed to the Director-General of the SSS, Falana accused the Alaafin and his palace aides of subjecting the late chief and members of his entourage to severe torture that allegedly led to Arounfale’s death days later.
The petition, written on behalf of Oladotun Ayodele, Adeola Ayodele, Dipole Awoyemi and Rosaline Ayoka Arounfale, stated that the incident occurred on April 17, 2025, when the group visited the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo Town, Oyo State.
According to the lawyers, the visit was initially cordial until a disagreement arose over coronation practices in Oyotunji Village, a Yoruba settlement domiciled in Sheldon, South Carolina, United States.
The late Chief Arounfale reportedly explained that the Ooni of Ife had traditionally handled coronations in the community from its inception.
Falana alleged that the response enraged the Alaafin, who reportedly accused the visitors of being liars, traitors and spies sent to undermine him.
The petition claimed that the monarch then ordered palace attendants to deal ruthlessly with the visitors.
The lawyers further alleged that under the watch of the Alaafin, the visitors were violently assaulted.
They claimed that mobile phones belonging to the victims were confiscated after it was noticed that one of them was recording the incident.
The petition alleged that Chief Arounfale, described as elderly and frail, was beaten and pushed down a staircase during the assault.
In what was described as an attempt to cover up the incident, the petition alleged that the Alaafin invited the Oyo Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force to the palace and directed him to arrest the victims for undisclosed offences.
The victims were reportedly taken to the police office while bleeding and forced to write statements, despite, according to Falana, not committing any crime.
The petition claimed that the victims were detained overnight and only released on April 18, 2025, after being compelled to write and sign a letter of apology to the Alaafin as a condition for bail.
After their release, the victims reportedly sought medical treatment. However, despite receiving care, Chief Arounfale allegedly succumbed to his injuries on April 27, 2025.
He said, “In a desperate bid to cover up the torture meted out to our clients, the Alafin invited the Oyo Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force to the Palace and ordered him to arrest our clients for an undisclosed offence.
“The Area Commander arrested our clients who were drenched in their own blood and took them to his office where he made them to write statements even though they had not committed any criminal offence whatsoever.
“To our clients’ utter shock, the Area Commander ordered their detention even though they were suffering excruciating pains as a result of the gruesome assault to which they had been subjected at the Palace of the Alaafin Owoade.
“The Area Commander compelled our clients to write and sign a Letter of Apology to the Alaafin Owoade as a condition for their release on bail on the 18” day of April, 2025.
“Upon their release from the illegal police custody, our clients rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Despite the fact that they all received medical attention to ameliorate the resultant pain and trauma inflicted on them by the Alaafin and his Palace thugs, Chief Lukmon Arounfale, an elderly person, eventually gave up the ghost on the 27th day of April, 2025,” Falana explained.
The senior advocate noted that although the Inspector-General of Police had reportedly ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the chief’s death and the probe was said to have been concluded, no arrests or prosecutions had followed.
“Based on intelligence reports, the Inspector-General of Police ordered a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of Mr. Babaoba Arounfale.
“Even though the Police had concluded the investigation, the suspects have not been arrested and prosecuted for inflicting such brutal torture on our clients, which led to the untimely death of Chief Lukmon Arounfale.
In view of the foregoing, you will agree with us that the brutal torture meted out to the late Chief Lukmon Arounfale and our clients by Alafin Owoade and his palace thugs cannot be tolerated in a civilised society.”
The senior advocate said his clients were confident that the SSS would handle the matter in its usual professional manner and urged the agency to conduct a fresh, thorough investigation with a view to prosecuting the suspects under the Criminal Code of Oyo State.
“However, we are confident that the State Security Service will handle this case in its usual professional manner.
“We are therefore requesting that a thorough investigation be conducted by the State Security Service with a view to prosecuting the murder suspects under the Criminal Code of Oyo State.
“While anticipating your prompt action, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem,” Falana added.
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December 22, 2025
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