Appeal Court Restrains Adeleke On Akirun Chieftaincy Dispute

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has restrained Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from taking further action on the Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy matter pending the determination of an appeal before it.

Naija News reports that the appellate court, on Monday, ordered all parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo regarding the stool occupied by Oba Olalekan Akadiri.

The Osun State Government had earlier declared the stool vacant and directed parties involved in the dispute to await the outcome of the pending appeal.

The decision was contained in white papers issued by the state government after reviewing reports of committees set up to examine issues arising from executive orders signed by Adeleke in November 2022.

In a ruling delivered by Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi, the Court of Appeal barred the governor and other parties from taking any step concerning the chieftaincy matter until the appeal is determined.

Oba Akadiri, through his counsel, N.O. Oke, SAN, told the court that the chairman of the town’s kingmakers, Chief Kareem Adetoyese, had allegedly written to the Gboleru Ruling House to present candidates for the stool.

The monarch argued that the move violated the government’s earlier directive that all actions on the chieftaincy dispute should be suspended pending the appeal.

Parties Agree On Status Quo

Counsel for the parties, including representatives of the Gboleru Ruling House and the Osun State Attorney-General’s office, agreed that no action should be taken until the case is resolved.

Counsel for the kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, also supported the application that all parties maintain the status quo in the interest of peace in the community.

In its ruling, the court said it had been informed that steps were allegedly being taken to process a fresh nomination despite the government’s white paper advising parties to suspend action.

The court held, “It has been brought to the knowledge of this court that despite the government White Paper advising all parties to halt the processing of nomination of the Akirun of Ikirun, learned Silk Counsel to the 15th Respondent has informed the court that the fourth respondent has been calling for nomination for the stool.

“This has been confirmed by counsel to the appellant and other respondents. The Counsel to the fourth respondent, who is being accused of this action, denied knowledge of the action by his client.

“It is unfortunate that the 4th Respondent can go out of the Government’s directive in a matter that is pending before this court. It is hereby ordered that parties maintain the status quo and avoid breakdown of peace and order.”

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