Untold Story Of How Osun Deity Was ‘Sold’

By Sikiru Obarayese

There is continous palpable distrust among custodians of the Osun deity, as its chief priest, Chief Adigun Olosun insisted that the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun colluded with one other person to sell the deity to some foreigners.

Inspite the denial, the Chief priest has challenged the monarch to sue him on defamation of character, so that there would be an opportunity for him to prove the allegation.

It was recently reported that the Ataoja allegedly sold the deity for N15 million

However, it was gathered that there was a fallout between the monarch and the Priest over the eviction of Osun priestess from the Palace and appointment of a new priestess without consultation with other stakeholders.

According to the chief priest, he received an anonymous call from some foreigners that Osun deity was no longer in its abode and asked him to investigate the matter, which prompted him to call on the Araba of Osogboland and a high Chief, the AJagunna of Osogboland to investigate the issue as he was not in the country.

However, the duo returned his call that the deity was at its abode but the callers insisted that he should conduct an independent investigation being the custodian of the deity, which prompted his decision to return home from his base in Germany.

Upon his return to the town, he consulted the only person who has access to the deity to confirm whether he was consulted but disclosed that no one did which forced him to head to those behind the call at the Lagos Airport where he confirmed that the deity was with them in a medium briefcase.

He added that the buyers could not board with the deity as it was too heavy to move into the plane on board to Europe.

Responding to the accusation, the Ataoja described it as false, and baseless, saying he did not trade the water goddess of Osogbo to the foreigners for N15 million as alleged.

The monarch in a press conference held at his palace recently, condemned the accusation which he described as unfounded and ruse, charging members of the public to disregard the rumor.

Oba Olanipekun, threatened to arrest Adigun whenever he step into the town for attempting to incite the public against him.

He claimed that the water goddess is a spirit that could not be sold to anybody, saying, “In fact, it is not a physical property,” he added.

However, the Germany based traditionalist claimed that the Ataoja has approached him on various occasions on the need to make the deity a money making venture because he (Ataoja) is not making enough from the deity, but had to turn down his request which breed hostility between the duo.

He even challenged the Ataoja to go to court for defamation of character or report the matter to the police if he feels the allegations were false.