The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has restrained Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from taking any further action concerning the disputed Akirun of Ikirun stool pending the final determination of an appeal before the court.
The appellate court also ordered all parties involved in the chieftaincy dispute to maintain the status quo regarding the throne currently occupied by Oba Olalekan Akadiri.
The ruling followed growing tension surrounding the leadership tussle over the Akirun stool after the Osun State Government had earlier declared the throne vacant and directed all parties to await the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings.
The state government’s position was contained in white papers released after reports submitted by committees set up to review issues linked to executive orders signed by Governor Adeleke in November 2022.
However, in a ruling delivered on Monday by Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi, the Court of Appeal directed Governor Adeleke and every party connected to the matter to refrain from taking any fresh steps until the appeal is fully resolved.
During proceedings, counsel to Oba Akadiri, Chief N.O. Oke (SAN), informed the court that the chairman of the Ikirun kingmakers, Chief Kareem Adetoyese, had allegedly written to the Gboleru Ruling House asking them to submit candidates for the vacant stool.
According to the monarch’s legal team, the move violated the earlier directive issued by the Osun State Government instructing all parties to suspend actions relating to the kingship matter pending the court’s decision.
Lawyers representing 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 battle is concluded.
Counsel to the kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, also supported the request for all parties to maintain peace and avoid actions capable of escalating tension in the community.
Reacting to the development, the court frowned at reports suggesting that fresh nomination processes were allegedly being initiated despite the pending appeal.
“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 court stated.
The court further noted that although counsel representing the accused party denied knowledge of the alleged action, it was necessary to preserve peace and order in Ikirun pending the final judgement.
“It is hereby ordered that parties maintain the status quo and avoid breakdown of peace and order,” the court ruled.
The latest ruling has further intensified attention on the long-running Akirun chieftaincy dispute, which has continued to generate political and traditional tensions in Osun State.
