Court orders Osun traditional ruler to vacate royal stool
An Osun State High Court sitting in Ode Omu, Ayedaade Local Government area of the state on Monday ordered Prince Olufemi Olayinka to vacate the stool of Oku-Odo of Odo-Ijesa in Atakumosa East Local Government area of the state. pending the determination of the suit before it.
Olufemi was on the 21st of September, 2023, allegedly installed by some kingmakers and government officials as the Olu-Odo Of Odo-Ijesa after the interlocutory injunction.
Earlier , the occupant of the throne had been dragged before the state High Court on the 19th of January, 2021 by a prince of the town, Hammed Odeyemi, alongside 11 others to court maintaining that the stool of Odo-Ijesa being presently occupied by Olufemi was against the traditional law.
Among the defendants are the Governor of the State, the State Attorney General, the town’s kingmakers and Atakumosa East Local Government.
The plaintiff had claimed in the substantive suit that he had the majority of the votes of the kingmakers and therefore should be the king.
The plaintiff through his lawyer, Fatima Adesina, on February 2, 2022, filed an interlocutory injunction, asking the court to order a stay of execution pending the determination of the matter by the court.
The application, which the defendant’s lawyers acceded to was moved by the plaintiff’s lawyer on June 14, 2022.
Justice M.O. Okediya in his ruling on the application, a copy received by Tribune Correspondent, restrained the defendants, particularly the state Governor, the Attorney General of the State and Atakumosa East Local Government and their agents, servants and previews from sending the name of Olufemi or accepting his name as the Olu-Odo elect of Odo-Ijesa.
However, Olufemi was on the 21st of September, 2023, allegedly installed by some kingmakers and government officials as the Olu-Odo Of Odo-Ijesa after the interlocutory injunction.
At the resume of the hearing today, the plaintiff filed an application asking the court to set aside any letter of appointment or instrument of appointment that might have been given to Olufemi for going against the court other.
But Olufemi’s counsel, T.A Giwa who had earlier said he was prepared for the business of the day, said he wasn’t properly briefed on the matter, adding that he also has two applications to move.
Justice Okediya told the defence counsel to reply to the plaintiff’s application orally but he declined, saying that he wished to submit a written counter-application.
In his ruling, Justice Okediya noted that installing Olufemi as the Olu-Odo of Odo Ijesa was a gross violation and disrespect for the order of the court.
He said when a matter has been submitted at a competent court, all further matters shall be suspended pending the outcome of the suit.
He maintained the court has the right to set aside was has been done unlawfully.
The judge subsequently ruled that the stool of Olu-Odo of Odo-Ijesa remains vacant till the determination of the suit and the final order of the court.
