Awujale succession suit sent back for reassignment

A suit over the stalled selection of Ijebuland’s next Awujale has been sent back for reassignment after the judge handling it said he was about to begin his annual vacation.

Justice A.A. Omoniyi of Court 3 of the Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ijebu-Ode, said he had only one week left before his vacation and might not return to duty until January 2027. Although he acknowledged the urgency of the case, numbered HCJ/149/2026 and filed on August 21, he ruled that the file should return to the administrative judge for reallocation. He adjourned proceedings until September 23.

Counsel for the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Olusegun Otayemi, told the court that all 15 defendants had been served and that the family was ready to proceed. Counsel representing the kingmakers and state officials said they remained within the period allowed to respond and would file their papers in due course.

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The law, as we know it, does not permit a deliberate stoppage.

The family brought the case after the selection process was suspended following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died aged 91 in July 2025 after 65 years on the throne. Otayemi said the family considered the stoppage unnecessary government interference and argued that the law did not permit a deliberate suspension of the process.

Speaking after the hearing, Otayemi said the matter was urgent because Ijebu-Ode should not remain without a king for an extended period. Abdulateef Owoyemi, chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, said the family went to court because it could not wait indefinitely for a new Awujale to be appointed from its ranks.

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Ijebu-Ode cannot remain kingless for so long.