By Peter Dansu The identity controversy surrounding Badagry-born risk management expert and governance advocate, Olufemi Sewanu Iroko, has ...
By Peter Dansu
The identity controversy surrounding Badagry-born risk management expert and governance advocate, Olufemi Sewanu Iroko, has deepened following a public disclaimer issued by the Iroko family of Ajara-Isalu.
In a letter dated September 2, 2025, and signed by the family head, Mr. E.P. Iroko, the family categorically disowned Olufemi, branding him an “imposter” and insisting he has no blood ties with their lineage. The disclaimer, addressed to De VOICE Newspaper, accused him of seeking “cheap political popularity” that could tarnish the reputation of their “dignified and honoured” family.
The letter read in part:
“That the said ‘Oluwafemi Sewanu Iroko’ is not a son, neither a grandson nor a great-grandson of Iroko of Ajara-Isalu.”
“That he is not an indigene of Ajara-Isalu.”
“That he is a misplaced and lost individual who wants to lay claims to the dignified and honoured Iroko family of Ajara-Isalu.”
But in a swift response, Olufemi pushed back forcefully, dismissing the disclaimer as “corruption fighting back.” Taking to his Facebook page on Friday, he clarified his ancestry and distanced himself from the Pohento/Meda descendants of Ajara Salu Kingdom.
“For the sake of lazy bloggers who can’t conduct basic research and to set the record straight,” he wrote, “I, Olufemi Sewanu Iroko, do not and do not intend to belong to the Pohento/Meda family descendants. I am from the Toyi and Kuawonnu family/descendants of Depekoh Quarters, Ajara Salu, Badagry Local Government.”
He stressed that he had never received any form of favour from the family that disowned him, insisting, “You cannot disown what was never yours.”
Speaking further, Olufemi alleged that the move against him was politically motivated, claiming some members of the Iroko family were desperate for government appointments and viewed his advocacy for accountability as a stumbling block.
“This is coming up because some persons from this family want to be appointed as local government supervisors. They think my advocacy stands in their way. That is why they want to disassociate me from their family name,” he said.
Olufemi reaffirmed his roots in the Depekoh compound of Ajara-Isalu, maintaining that his community remains proud of his work in projecting Badagry’s image positively.
The activist, known for his strong stance on grassroots accountability, vowed not to be silenced despite threats to his life. “For the records, I will not be gagged. The development of Badagry is sacrosanct, and we will ensure it happens,” he declared.
Concluding his post, he signaled his readiness to pursue legal redress over what he described as defamatory publications. “As for the defamatory publications and every other person who made defamatory statements alongside, allow the law to take its cause. This sanitation will go round,” he warned.
With both sides digging in, the storm over Olufemi Iroko’s ancestry has not only split opinions in Ajara-Isalu but has also sparked heated conversations across Badagry, with many waiting to see if the matter ends in the courtroom.
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