The Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, has died, according to fake reports published on social media on Monday.
A music blog endorsed by some banks and telecommunication companies is one of the platforms responsible for spreading the offensive news.
Citing anonymous palace sources, the websites claimed the 83-year-old died in Lagos on Sunday of unknown causes.
Debunking the rumour, Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, Bayo Onanuga, wrote in a Facebook post that “The Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona is alive. He is right now in Lagos.
“Nigeria’s rumour mongers should stop spreading falsehood. This is how Governor Fayose recklessly killed President Muhammadu Buhari many times, only to be put to shame.
“For journalists, please check your story before going public.”
Onanuga, who is a cousin of the monarch, also told Premium Times that “He (Awujale) is in Lagos and he is just laughing over the rumour.”
He said the monarch was ill two weeks ago and travelled to Lagos for treatment at a hospital from where he was discharged two days afterwards.
“We are from the same ruling house; I’m his cousin. That’s why we are close, not because of I’m a Journalist,” said Onanuga.
“Yes, the man is old, but he is fine.”
PMNews, a publication co-founded by Onanuga, also reported that the paramount ruler of Ijebu land was at Oriental Hotel in Lagos on Monday.
It said Adetona expressed surprise that some bloggers could be spreading rumours about his death without confirming from the palace in Ijebu-Ode or from his chiefs.
“Why are people spreading rumours about my death, when I am right here at Oriental,” PMNews quoted the monarch as saying.
