Who Wants Oba Akinruntan Dead?

This is no fable from the heart of a crazy fiction writer. It is as clear as daylight. But what is most surprising is why anyone would want or wish Nigeria’s highly revered monarch and businessman, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan dead.  This is the question presently agitating the minds of Nigerians and his loved ones.

Last Monday, many were startled when the purported death of the Olugbo of Ugboland was reported by some media outlets.

It was gathered that some of his subjects were panic-stricken, with growing anxiety in the Ondo community over the reports.  However, his children’s silence sparked off some spontaneous reactions that pulled the plug on the death rumour.

One of his sons, Prince Akinfemiwa Akinruntan swung into action,  describing the news as ‘’a hoax’’ and a lie from the pit of hell.

The Ugbo prince debunked the death rumour of the oil magnate, saying he is alive, hale and hearty.  This reportedly put paid to the horrible speculation and calmed the anxieties of his subjects as well as well-wishers.

Society Watch gathered that the king, who is also an oil monarch, has been in the UK since December 2024, hence the death rumour. It was also revealed that he was indisposed and received treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the UK. However, a source disclosed that there is nothing to worry about, though, as the king is now fully recovered and back in his London home.

Since the well-connected business mogul became the Olugbo of Ugboland, he has put the name of the riverine community on the world map with several projects, such as the eye-popping palace.

In 2014, the flamboyant and colourful traditional ruler was ranked by Forbes magazine as the second-richest King in Africa and the richest in Nigeria. He has a custom-built 2012 Rolls Royce like that of Queen Elizabeth II.

Aside from the oil and gas business, Oba Akinruntan is also into real estate. He has choice buildings in London and across Nigeria, including the prestigious Febson Hotels and Mall in the Central Business District of Abuja.

The stylish Oba, who sits atop a business conglomerate with interests in petroleum, shipping, construction, fishery, tourism and hospitality, consultancy services and water purification and production, owns one of the most expensive yachts in the country.