The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has restrained Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke from taking further action on the disputed Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy matter pending the determination of an appeal before the court.
The appellate court also directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo regarding the Akirun stool currently occupied by Oba Olalekan Akadiri.
The development followed concerns that fresh steps were allegedly being taken toward nominating another candidate for the stool despite an earlier directive by the Osun State Government suspending all actions on the matter pending the outcome of the appeal process.
The state government had previously declared the stool vacant through white papers released after the review of reports submitted by committees established to examine issues arising from executive orders signed by Governor Adeleke in November 2022.
Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi held that no party should take any further step capable of escalating tensions in the community until the appeal is finally resolved.
Counsel to Oba Akadiri, N.O. Oke (SAN), informed the court that the chairman of the Ikirun kingmakers, Chief Kareem Adetoyese, wrote to the Gboleru Ruling House requesting the presentation of candidates for the stool.
According to the monarch’s legal team, the action contravened the Osun State Government’s earlier directive that all activities relating to the disputed chieftaincy should remain suspended pending the determination of the appeal.
Lawyers representing the various parties in the matter, including counsel for the Gboleru Ruling House and the Osun State Attorney-General’s office, reportedly agreed before the court that no action should be taken until the legal dispute is concluded.
Counsel to the kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, also backed the application urging parties to maintain the status quo, stressing the need to preserve peace and stability in Ikirun.
In the ruling, the court noted that despite the government’s directive suspending the nomination process, allegations had emerged that moves were still being made to initiate fresh nominations for the Akirun stool.
“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,” the judge stated.
The court further observed that the allegation was confirmed by counsel representing some of the parties in the appeal, although the lawyer representing the respondent accused of the action denied knowledge of his client’s alleged move.
Justice Gbagi subsequently ordered all parties to maintain the existing situation to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the community.
“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,” the court ruled.
The Akirun chieftaincy dispute has continued to generate tension in Ikirun, with stakeholders awaiting the final determination of the appeal to settle the prolonged leadership tussle.
