The traditional ruler of the Yoruba African village in Beaufort County, South Carolina, USA, Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II has been stabbed to death.
The news of his demise was announced via a post on the Facebook page of Canadian-based Prince Segun Alanna, publisher of the Drum online newspaper. The sad event which happened on Monday, 29th July, 2024 has left the entire community in shock and confusion.
A 53-year-old woman, identified as Akiba Meredith, believe to be his sister, has been charged with the murder after allegedly committing the crime as she was seen fleeing the scene of the crime before the police officers arrived.
Adefunmi was said to have been stabbed to death during a heated argument with Meredith.
According to abcnews4, the South Carolina authorities received a report of the stabbing around 2:45 p.m. at the village on Bryant Lane, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. The 47-year-old victim was taken to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. The suspect who fled the scene on foot was found shortly afterwards.
Our sources reported that the family was not giving media interviews currently due to ongoing cultural ceremonies which usually last for two to three days.
Adefunmi was remembered fondly by locals who said, “The King would stop by every morning for a cup of coffee — he was a good man and will truly be missed.”
Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II was the current leader of Oyotunji African Village, a cultural and spiritual centre for the Yoruba people in America. He succeeded his father, Oba Efuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi I, who founded the village in 1970.
Under his leadership since 2005, the village has continued to reflect traditional Yoruba culture while modernising it.
Ms Meredith is currently under custody of the local authorities while investigations are still ongoing.
