In the history of colonial era justice in Western Nigeria, few cases left a deeper mark than the 1949 Efon Alaaye murder case. It began with the disappearance of a child and ended with the conviction and execution of a sitting monarch, an outcome that shocked contemporaries and reshaped how power, law, and kingship were understood.
This account presents the events as they unfolded, from the disappearance of a toddler to the legal proceedings that culminated in the gallows.
Efon Alaaye and the authority of the palace
Efon Alaaye is a historic Yoruba town located in what is now Ekiti State. In 1949, it formed part of the Western Region of colonial Nigeria. The Alaaye stood at the center of the town’s political and social life, presiding over disputes, customs, and communal order.
The palace was not only a political space but also a moral symbol. For many residents, it represented safety and continuity. That perception made the events of January 1949 especially devastating, as suspicion moved steadily toward individuals connected to the royal household.’’
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10 January 1949, the disappearance of Adediwura
On Monday, 10 January 1949, a baby girl named Adediwura, about 15 months old, disappeared from her family compound in Efon Alaaye. Immediate searches were organized by residents, relatives, and local leaders. As daylight faded without success, fear spread through the town.
When the child was not found, the matter was reported to the police. What began as a frantic search soon escalated into a criminal investigation.
Police investigation and early arrests
Colonial police officers were deployed to Efon Alaaye, including investigators from outside the town. Their arrival marked a shift from communal searching to formal inquiry.
The investigation led to the arrest of several individuals linked to palace activity. Three names became central to the case:
- Enoch Falayi, identified as a native doctor.
- Gabriel Olaberinjo, associated with palace duties.
- Daniel Ojo, also connected to palace service.
Investigators concluded that the child had been abducted and killed. The inquiry moved beyond the suspects themselves and toward the structure of authority surrounding them.
The coronial inquest
A coronial inquest was convened in Ilesa to determine the circumstances of the child’s death. Witnesses were called, statements were examined, and the chain of events surrounding the disappearance was reviewed.
Following the inquest, the authorities filed murder charges. At this stage, the case took a dramatic turn with the arrest of Oba Samuel Adeniran Asusumasa Atewogboye II, the reigning Alaaye of Efon Alaaye.
Trial at the High Court in Akure
The case was transferred to the High Court sitting in Akure, where it was tried under colonial criminal law. The proceedings brought intense attention, as it was rare for a traditional ruler to stand in the dock alongside commoners.
The prosecution presented testimony and evidence linking the accused to the killing of the child. The defense challenged these claims, but the court found the case against key defendants to be proven.
At the conclusion of the trial, the court convicted:
- Oba Samuel Adeniran Asusumasa Atewogboye II
- Enoch Falayi
- Gabriel Olaberinjo
Daniel Ojo was later discharged and did not share the same fate as the others.
Sentence and appeal
After conviction, the court imposed the mandatory sentence for murder under colonial law, death by hanging. Appeals were pursued through the regional judicial system, including the appellate structure serving British West Africa at the time.
The appeals did not alter the verdicts or sentences.
Execution and aftermath
In 1949, the sentences were carried out. Oba Samuel Adeniran Asusumasa Atewogboye II was executed by hanging alongside the other convicted men.
The execution of a reigning Yoruba monarch reverberated far beyond Efon Alaaye. It underscored the reach of colonial authority and marked a decisive rupture between traditional kingship and colonial law.
Within the town, the palace was left vacant, and the community entered a period of mourning and reflection. The case remained etched in local memory as a moment when power failed to shield its holder from the consequences of crime.
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Why the case endures
The Efon Alaaye case endures because it sits at the intersection of tragedy, authority, and justice. A child’s life was lost, a community’s trust was shaken, and the highest seat of local power collapsed under the weight of criminal conviction.
More than seven decades later, the story remains a stark reminder that no position, however sacred, stands above the law when innocence is destroyed.
Author’s Note
This story endures not because of its shock, but because of its lesson. When authority loses its moral ground, its fall is inevitable. The fate of Efon Alaaye in 1949 reminds us that justice, once invoked, reshapes everyone it touches, from the powerless to the powerful.
References
Festus Adedayo, opinion column on the 1949 Efon Alaaye case, TheCable, 28 May 2023.
DNL Legal and Style, “The Story Behind the Death Sentence of an Oba, Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, 1949.”
Loyal Nigerian Lawyer, “How a King Was Sentenced to Death Over a Toddler’s Killing.”Daily Times Nigeria, reports on the arrest, trial, and execution of Oba Samuel Adeniran.
