Court stops Adeleke from removing Osun monarch

A legal battle over the stool of the Akirun of Ikirun has taken a new turn as the Court of Appeal in Akure has restrained the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from removing Oba Olaleken Akadiri.

The Osun State Government had previously declared the chieftaincy stool vacant, directing all parties to await the outcome of a suit pending before the Court of Appeal. This decision was part of six White Papers issued by the government concerning issues raised by executive orders from Governor Adeleke's administration in November 2022.

Presiding over the case, Justice S.O Nwaka Gbagi issued an order barring the governor and other respondents from taking any action regarding the Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy until the appeal is decided. Oba Akadiri's counsel, N.O Oke (SAN), brought to the court's attention a letter from the Eesa of Ikirun and chairman of the kingmakers, Chief Kareem Adetoyese. This letter indicated the governor's directive to the Gboleru Ruling House to present candidates for the stool.

Despite the government's White Paper and the ongoing appeal, the Eesa of Ikirun proceeded to call for nominations. Oba Akadiri's counsel urged the court to order all parties to maintain the status quo as outlined in the White Paper. Counsel for the appellants, the Gboleru Ruling House, and the Osun State Attorney-General's office, along with counsel for the kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, all agreed to the need for maintaining the status quo to ensure justice and peace within the community. The court acknowledged that despite the White Paper advising a halt to the nomination process, calls for nominations were still being made.