The Palace of the Ooni of Ife has addressed a trending fake news story involving Ms Fagbule, who was allegedly defrauded of $180,000 by a scammer posing as Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife.

According to a release made available Otunba Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, clarified that the allegations are unfounded and part of a character assassination tactic aimed at gaining popularity on social media.

The Palace emphasised that the Ooni does not engage in any personal social media interactions, with all official communications handled by the palace’s media directorate.

The alleged scam is a fabrication, and the letter used as evidence does not match the Palace’s official letterhead or the Ooni’s style.

Ms Fagbule, if genuine, is invited to the palace in Ile-Ife for assistance with law enforcement to uncover the perpetrators of this crime.

The Palace advises the public to be cautious of social media engagements and reiterates that the Ooni does not interface online or via proxies.

The Palace’s letterhead is distinct, signed by the Ooni as “Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula” and not “His Imperial Majesty”.