Queen Chanel enies Oluwo’s allegations, defends Ooni of Ife

In a strongly worded statement on Friday, Queen Chanel, mother of Prince Oduduwa of Iwo Kingdom, described the Oluwo’s claims as “venomously untrue, misleading, and highly damaging to the sacred institution of Yoruba culture and traditional leadership.”

She clarified that she met the Oluwo through a popular Lagos monarch at a party in Ikeja, not through His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, as alleged.

“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did this monarch introduce me to Mr. Akanbi with any malicious intent. I also recall with fondness visiting the same monarch with Mr. Akanbi and Prince Oduduwa as a baby. Those remain cherished memories,” she said.

Queen Chanel further accused the Oluwo of neglecting their son for more than five years, noting that his only recent gesture was a $500 contribution during a trip to Canada in August 2025, while refusing to sign documents needed for Oduduwa’s Canadian passport.

“This was the first support Oduduwa received from his father since we left the palace five years ago. Despite this, I remained silent because I always advocated peaceful co-parenting,” she stated.

The Queen urged the Yoruba public to disregard the Oluwo’s allegations against the Ooni of Ife, whom she described as “the foremost monarch of the Yoruba race,” and called on traditional authorities to caution Oba Akanbi.

“This shall be my final statement on matters concerning Mr. Akanbi. Prince Oduduwa remains my beloved son, and nothing will change that. I remain confident the truth shall prevail,” she concluded.