Oluwo’s Ex-Wife Dismisses Allegations Against Ooni, Says He Abandoned Their Son

Chanel Chin, the former wife of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has denied the allegations he recently made against her and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Oluwo had accused the Ooni of introducing Ms. Chin into his palace as part of a plot to kill him, claiming she had poisoned him on several occasions during their marriage.

He also alleged that she had an affair with the Ooni and even questioned the paternity of her son, Oduduwa.

The Oluwo and Chin were married for three years before parting ways in December 2019, a separation that was publicly confirmed by Akanbi’s spokesman, Alli Ibraheem, who cited “irreconcilable differences.”

The monarch also alleged that after their breakup, the Ooni secured accommodation for Chin and later met her at a hotel. He promised to present evidence to back his accusations at a later date.

Chanel Chin, who is the daughter of Jamaican reggae musician Ludlow “Bobo Zaro” Chin, has now responded to the allegations.

In a statement on Instagram, she described the allegations as false, malicious, and damaging to the image of Yoruba traditional rulers.

She clarified that her introduction to Oluwo was not through the Ooni but via another respected Lagos monarch.

“My attention has been drawn to recent allegations in the media, purportedly involving His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife.  I categorically state that these claims are false, misleading, and damaging to our sacred Yoruba traditional institution,” the statement reads.

“For the record, I was introduced to Mr Akanbi by a respected Lagos monarch, not by the Ooni of Ife. During my time as Olori Oluwo, I regarded this Lagos Monarch as my Royal Father and still do with respect. At no time did this monarch introduce me to Mr Akanbi for any malicious intent.

“I fondly recall visiting this monarch and his Olori in Lagos with Mr Akanbi and baby prince Oduduwa — cherished memories.”

Chin also accused the Oluwo of neglecting their son for years, revealing that he only reappeared in their lives recently.

She said she has been solely responsible for raising their child and has always pushed for peaceful co-parenting.

“Mr Akanbi has been absent from Prince Oduduwa’s life for over five years. He only resurfaced in August this year in Canada, refused to sign passport papers, but dropped $500 — the first support Oduduwa ever received from him since we left the palace.

“Despite this, I have shouldered the full responsibility of raising my son, while always advocating for peaceful co-parenting. I therefore plead with the public to disregard all falsehoods against the Ooni of Ife, our foremost monarch,” the statement said.

Chin called on the public to dismiss her ex-husband’s allegations and urged Yoruba leaders to caution him against making further statements that discredit the traditional institution.

“I also urge the traditional institution to caution Mr. Akanbi from further degrading the sacred throne he once occupied. This shall be my final statement on the matter. Prince Oduduwa remains my beloved son, and I hold the Yoruba people in deep love and respect,” she added.

KanyiDaily recalls that traditional rulers in the Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State had given Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, a 21-day deadline to withdraw his accusations against Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.