Court Restrains Gov. Adeleke, Kingmakers From Selecting New Owa Obokun

The interim order also prevents the respondents from taking any further steps regarding the vacant stool of the Owa Obokun pending the determination of a Motion on Notice filed before the court.

The restraining order stems from a suit, marked HIL/117/2024, filed by Prince Debo Adeyemi and 10 others on behalf of the Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House.

In addition to Governor Adeleke, other defendants include the Obanla of Ijesaland, High Chief Folorunso Adeniyi, eleven other kingmakers, the Ijesa Central Traditional Council, the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and Prince Adesuyi Haastrup.

The applicants sought an injunction restraining the respondents from proceeding with the nomination, selection, or installation of Haastrup or any other candidate as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland until the pending suit regarding the chieftaincy title is heard and determined.

Justice A. Aderibigbe, upon hearing the application, granted the reliefs requested by the applicants.

The Certified True Copy of the court’s order, dated December 16, 2024, and obtained on Tuesday in Osogbo, partly reads: “An order of interim injunction is granted, restraining the 14th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd defendants/respondents from taking steps regarding the presentation, nomination, selection, election, installation, or appointment of the 16th defendant/respondent or any person as Owa of Ijesaland or Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, or from taking further actions as regards the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed on the suit.”

The court adjourned the case to Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for the hearing of the pending application.