The Ooni of Ife’s palace has denied actor Baba Ijesha’s claim of receiving a chieftaincy title, while confirming that the monarch presented him with a brand-new car during a recent visit.
The palace of the Ooni of Ife has publicly refuted claims by Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka that he was honoured with a chieftaincy title during a recent visit to the revered traditional ruler.
The clarification comes days after Baba Ijesha shared details of his visit to the monarch’s palace, where he claimed he received not only a warm royal reception but also a prestigious traditional title and a brand-new vehicle.
His announcement quickly generated widespread discussion across social media, with many Nigerians expressing mixed reactions because of his controversial past.
According to the actor, he visited the palace alongside his wife, Luminee, and their child. He described the Ooni’s reception as one filled with fatherly affection, prayers and generosity.
Baba Ijesha further claimed that the monarch honoured him with the title “Baba Awada Konge Oduwa, Ile Ife, Ile Oodua,” while also presenting him with a luxury car.
However, the palace has firmly distanced itself from the reported chieftaincy honour.
Speaking in an interview with a popular news platform, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafere, said the palace could only verify that the monarch gifted the actor a vehicle, stressing that he was unaware of any traditional title being conferred on Baba Ijesha.
Olafere explained that the Ooni has a long-standing reputation for extending generous gestures to people from different backgrounds, including traditional rulers, entertainers, community leaders and ordinary citizens.
According to him, presenting cars to individuals is one of the monarch’s well-known acts of kindness and should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a chieftaincy installation.
He noted that the Ooni has donated vehicles to numerous beneficiaries over the years and continues to do so regularly.
“Kabiyesi gives cars to people. This is not the first time. He has given cars to many people, including kings and other individuals, and this is not new,” Olafere said.
He added that several prominent Nigerians, including himself as well as musicians Haruna Ishola and Sefiu Alao, have benefited from similar gestures by the monarch.
Another source within the palace also dismissed the actor’s claim, insisting that recognised chieftaincy titles are not conferred in the manner described by Baba Ijesha.
The source maintained that the palace had no record of any formal installation or official recognition of the actor as a title holder.
The conflicting accounts have sparked intense debate online, with many social media users questioning what truly transpired during the visit.
While some defended the palace’s clarification and insisted that official traditional titles must follow established customs and procedures, others speculated that the palace was attempting to distance itself from the controversy generated by Baba Ijesha’s announcement.
The visit itself had already attracted significant public attention before the palace issued its response.
Ahead of his arrival at the palace, Baba Ijesha posted an emotional message on social media, expressing gratitude for what he described as a fresh beginning. He disclosed that the trip marked the first time he had travelled together with his wife and child as a family.
Reflecting on his journey, the actor said he remained grateful for the opportunity to rebuild his life after serving a prison sentence. He added that he had been given a second chance and promised not to misuse it.
Baba Ijesha’s public reappearance continues to attract scrutiny because of his criminal conviction.
In 2022, the actor was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted over the sexual assault of a 14-year-old foster child of Nigerian comedienne Princess. The case generated nationwide outrage and remained one of the most talked-about entertainment-related court cases in Nigeria.
Although he received a five-year sentence, Baba Ijesha regained his freedom on November 15, 2025, after spending more than three years in custody.
Since his release, the actor has gradually returned to public life. Less than a year after leaving prison, he announced that he had married Luminee and welcomed a baby boy.
Sharing the news with his followers, Baba Ijesha said he believed God had transformed his life by blessing him with a wife and child despite his difficult past.
His latest visit to the Ooni’s palace and the controversy surrounding the alleged chieftaincy title have once again placed him at the centre of public discourse, with many awaiting further clarification from both the palace and the actor.
For now, while the palace acknowledges that the Ooni extended generosity by presenting Baba Ijesha with a brand-new car, it maintains that it cannot confirm any claim that the actor was formally installed with a recognised chieftaincy title.
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