Court suspends recognition of Ondo regent amid legal battle

The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Ore, has issued an order restraining High Chief Akindele Aladenika from parading himself as the regent of the Ore community. The court, presided over by Justice Ade Adegoroye, also prohibited the state government and its agencies from recognizing Aladenika as regent until a substantive legal case concerning the traditional stool is determined.

The stool of the Olore of Ore became vacant following the death of Oba Johnson Olatomide in 2020. While the government reportedly approved Aladenika's appointment as regent, this decision was met with opposition from the Olore-in-Council, who advocated for the appointment of a substantive monarch. Allegations suggest Aladenika has been acting as the traditional ruler with the state government's backing.

Four members of the Olore-in-Council, High Chief Monday Sawoju, High Chief Mrs Esther, Chief Tope Ijiniga, and Chief Fakeye Sawoju, brought the case to court. They sought an order of interlocutory injunction to prevent the state government and security agencies from recognizing Aladenika as regent. The plaintiffs also requested the court to nullify the nomination, approval, and related activities leading to Aladenika's appointment, pending the resolution of a similar ongoing case.

Justice Adegoroye noted the precariousness of the situation, stating that the matter is sub judice. The court highlighted that a subsisting injunction against the previous regent, who has since passed away, was still in effect. "It is an affront against the court for another person to be installed in defiance of the injunction, for whatever it is worth, and the fact that the case is still pending before the court," the judge remarked. The court warned that interfering with a matter that is sub judice could amount to contempt of court. Consequently, the court granted the application in part, restraining the defendants and law enforcement agencies from further recognizing High Chief Akindele Aladenika.

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The position of this case is a bit more precarious. The matter is sub judice, and the bone of contention is the regency of Ore. There is a subsisting injunction against the erstwhile regent, who unfortunately has joined his ancestors. It is an affront against the court for another person to be installed in defiance of the injunction, for whatever it is worth, and the fact that the case is still pending before the court. Tinkering with a matter that is sub judice could amount to contempt of court.