An Ogun State High Court has nullified the installation of Oba Alexander MacGregor as the Olu of Orile Ilawo, declaring the process illegal.
Governor Dapo Abiodun had presented MacGregor with the staff of office in April 2023 to serve as the traditional ruler of Orile Ilawo in Odeda Local Government Area.
However, in her ruling on Tuesday, Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi ordered MacGregor to stop parading himself as monarch pending the determination of the suit challenging his nomination process.
The court’s decision followed a suit filed by the Ogunsanya-Ariku Royal Family of Ilawo, which sought to halt the installation and invalidate MacGregor’s claim to the throne.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Majekodunmi condemned the Ogun State government’s decision to proceed with the installation despite pending court cases, describing it as an act of impunity and disregard for the judiciary.
She emphasised that once a case is before the court, all parties are legally bound not to take actions that could undermine its authority.
The court, therefore, issued a mandatory injunction restraining MacGregor from acting as the Olu of Orile Ilawo and restored the throne to its previous status before the legal dispute. It also ordered the withdrawal of all instruments of office, including the staff of office and other symbols of authority conferred on MacGregor by the government.
The Ogunsanya-Ariku family had approached the court after alleging that warrant chiefs approved by the Ilawo Traditional Council were replaced with unknown individuals to manipulate the selection process following the death of the former monarch on December 24, 2021.
Reacting to the judgment, Secretary to the Ogunsanya-Ariku dynasty, Dr David Ogunsanya, praised the judiciary for upholding justice.
He stated, “Since you have been covering this matter, we felt it necessary to invite the press for a briefing on this latest development.
“In light of the government’s refusal to act and Mr Olusegun MacGregor’s defiance, stakeholders across Orile Ilawo, led by the Ogunsanya-Ariku family, resorted to litigation rather than allowing a situation that could escalate into communal conflict.
“Today, we are pleased to inform the public that the installation of Mr Olusegun MacGregor has been nullified by a competent court, with clear instructions for him to cease parading himself as the Olu of Orile Ilawo.
“Any action contrary to this ruling would amount to contempt of court, which will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Furthermore, members of the public who continue to recognise Mr Olusegun MacGregor as Olu of Orile Ilawo do so at their own risk.”
