Court Dethrones Oyo Monarch, Orders Government to Seize Certificate and Staff of Office

A High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State has ordered the dethronement of Oba Thompson Oyetunji, the Alajaawa of Ajaawa in Ogo-Oluwa with immediate effect and ordered him to stop appearing as the monarch of the town until the final ruling of the case brought before the court.

This order was made on Monday and mandated the Governor of the State and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to withdraw the certificate and staff of office given to Oyetunji, stating that it was done in blatant disobedience to the court order made on 11th of March, 2020.

The presiding judge of the court, Justice Sherifat Adeyemi in her ruling rescinded the appointment, the approval and the presentation of certificate for installation and staff of office for Oba Oyetunji by the Governor of the state, saying that evidence has depicted that it was done in gross disobedience to the court order during the pendency of the suit until the final determination of the case.

According to the judge, “The signature on a letter dated 11th of June, 2020 to counter affidavit appeared to have been forged and not that of the first claimant, Police should investigate the issue because it is against the law”.

“There was no evidence that shows that there has been a move to settle the case out of court and if there is any, it should be brought to the knowledge of the court.”

The Judge adjourned the case hearing to the 26th of April.

Remember that the claimants, Prince Azeez Oyebunmi and Prince Kamorudeen Salami filed a suit on behalf of Olumole ruling House of Ajaawa against the governor of Oyo State, Attorney General of Oyo State, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Thompson Oyetunji, Chief Adewale Erinle, Chief Ademola Isola, Chief Adegbite Adeleke, Prince Oyegoke Oyegbami, Prince Oladele Akinbola, and Prince Gideon Oyekunle who are defendants.

The claimant’s plea before the court include: that the court should give an order setting aside the purported appointment, and approval and presentation of a certificate of installation and staff of office for Oba Oyetunji by the governor of the state which was done against the court order during the pending of the suit until the final determination of the case

“An order directing the governor of the state, the Attorney General of the State, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to immediately withdraw any certificate of installation and staff of office as Alaajawa of Ajaawa which was done against the court order during the pending of the suit until the final determination of the case.

“An order restraining Oba Oyetunji from parading himself as the monarch or using the connection of the office pending final determination of the suit.”