Appeal Court Affirms Olaoye as 21st Soun of Ogbomoso

Recall that Justice K. A. Adedokun of the Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso had, on October 25, 2023, nullified the selection and installation of Mr Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso.

The court asserted that the procedure of Mr Olaoye’s nomination was “irregular, null and void”.

It added that the process did not comply with the provisions of the Soun Chieftaincy Declaration of 1958.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, on December 20, 2023, presented the staff and instrument of office to Olaoye as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso.

“In exercise of the power, I hereby confirm Oba Ghandi Olaoye Orumogege 111 as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso land,’’ Mr Makinde said after presenting the staff in the ancient city.

Delivering judgment on the appeal filed by Mr Olaoye today, Justice Yargata Nimpar, who led a three-member panel of justices, resolved the appeal in favour of Mr Olaoye.

Justice Nimpar said that the lower court had no jurisdiction to entertain the case.

According to the judge, the respondents failed to comply with the administrative procedure of writing the government about their dissatisfaction with the selection before approaching the court.

Mr Nimpar, therefore, set aside the lower court’s judgment and affirmed the selection and installation of Mr Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso.

Speaking with journalists after the judgment, the respondents’ lead counsel, Mr Abiodun Ogunjumi, said his client was dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Mr Ogunjumi said he was ready to file notice and grounds of the appeal to challenge the judgment of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.