Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has issued a restraining order against Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, traditional kingmakers, and other parties involved in the contentious Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy dispute, barring them from taking any further steps to remove the monarch or appoint a replacement pending the determination of an appeal before the court. In a ruling delivered by Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi on Monday, May 25, 2026, the appellate court specifically ordered all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the stool occupied by Oba Olalekan Akadiri, who was installed in 2022. The ruling followed a motion on notice filed by the monarch's counsel, Nathaniel Oke (SAN), who drew the court's attention to a letter written by Chief Kareem Adetoyese, the Eesa and chairman of the town's kingmakers, indicating that he was acting on the directives of the state governor to call on the Gboleru Ruling House to present candidates for the stool. The monarch argued that the move violated the Osun State Government's own White Paper, which had ordered that all issues on the Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy crisis be placed on hold pending the determination of a subsisting appeal at the Court of Appeal, Akure.
The state government had earlier declared the stool of the Akirun of Ikirun vacant and called on all parties to await the outcome of the pending legal proceedings. The decision was contained in six White Papers on various committees that investigated issues raised by executive orders signed by Governor Adeleke at the inception of his administration in November 2022. However, the monarch alleged that, despite the government's own directive, steps were being taken to initiate a fresh nomination process. Counsel representing the various parties in the appeal, including G. A. Adesina for the appellants' Gboleru Ruling House and Bamidele Salami from the Osun State Attorney-General's office, agreed before the court that no action should be taken until the pending appeal was resolved. Counsel for the kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, also supported the application for parties to maintain the status quo in the interest of justice and peace within the Ikirun community.
In his ruling, Justice Gbagi expressed displeasure that actions were being taken despite the government's own White Paper. "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. "This has been confirmed by counsel to the appellant and other respondents. The counsel to the fourth respondent, who is being accused of this action, denied knowledge of the action by his client. 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 ruling was delivered by Justice Gbagi, with Justices Peter O. Afen and N.U. Okaisabor concurring. The Court of Appeal has adjourned the substantive appeal for hearing, as all parties have filed their respective briefs. The dispute over the Akirun stool has been a source of tension in Ikirun, and the court's order is expected to temporarily calm the situation pending the final resolution of the legal battle.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments