Osun Court Halts Appointment of New Owa Obokun, Ofokutu Royal Family Secures Injunction Against Governor Adeleke, Ilesa Kingmakers

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa has issued an interim injunction restraining the state government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the Ilesa kingmakers from proceeding with the selection process for the vacant stool of the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.

The ruling followed legal proceedings initiated by the contestants, head, and principal members of the Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, under suit number HIL/117/2024.

 The suit names Governor Adeleke; the Obanla of Ijesaland, Chief Folorunso Adeniyi; 11 prominent kingmakers; the Ijesa Central Traditional Council; the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adesuyi Haastrup; and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, as defendants.

The applicants petitioned the court to halt any further actions toward the nomination, selection, or appointment of Adesuyi Haastrup or any other candidate as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, pending the final determination of the suit.

In his ruling on the matter, Justice A. Aderibigbe granted the reliefs sought by the applicants and issued the interim injunction on December 16, 2024. 

The order effectively bars all respondents from proceeding with any steps related to the presentation, nomination, or installation of a new Owa Obokun.

The court order partly states:

"An order of interim injunction is granted, restraining the 14th, 20th, 21st and 20th defendants/respondents from taking steps regarding the presentation, nomination, selection, election, or installing or appointing the 16th defendant/respondent or any person as Owa of Ijesaland or Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland or taking further steps as regards the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed on the suit.”

With this ruling, the nomination process for the Owa Obokun stool is temporarily halted, preserving the status quo until the court delivers its final judgment.

The matter has been adjourned to January 14, 2025, for further hearing.