Appeal Court restrains Gov Adeleke over Akirun removal dispute

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Monday restrained Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from taking further action on the Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy dispute pending the determination of an appeal before the court.

The appellate court ordered all parties involved in the matter to maintain the status quo regarding the stool currently occupied by Oba Olalekan Akadiri.

The Osun State Government had earlier declared the stool vacant and directed all parties in the dispute to await the outcome of the pending appeal before taking further steps on the matter.

The directive formed part of the white papers issued by the state government following reports submitted by committees established to review issues arising from executive orders signed by Adeleke in November 2022.

Delivering the ruling, Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi barred the governor and other parties from taking any action concerning the chieftaincy dispute until the appeal before the court is resolved.

Counsel to Oba Akadiri, N.O. Oke, informed the court that the chairman of the town’s kingmakers, Chief Kareem Adetoyese, allegedly wrote to the Gboleru Ruling House requesting the presentation of candidates for the stool.

According to the monarch, “the move was contrary to the earlier directive of the state government, which instructed parties to suspend all actions relating to the chieftaincy matter pending the determination of the appeal.”

Counsel representing the various parties in the case, including lawyers for the Gboleru Ruling House and the Osun State Attorney-General’s office, agreed before the court that no further action should be taken until the dispute is resolved.

Counsel for the kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, also supported the application seeking the maintenance of the status quo in the interest of peace within the Ikirun community.

In the ruling, the court stated: “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 nominations for the stool.”

The court further said: “This has been confirmed by counsel to the appellant and other respondents. Counsel to the fourth respondent, who is being accused of this action, denied knowledge of the action by his client.”

Justice Gbagi added: “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 a breakdown of peace and order.”

Appeal Court restrains Gov Adeleke over Akirun removal dispute