…..Ruling House Drags Ogun Govt, Kingmakers to Court over Stalled Process
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has dragged the Ogun State Government and members of the Awujale kingmakers’ council to court over the stalled process of selecting a new Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The suit was filed at the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode. The claimants are seeking judicial intervention to compel the continuation and conclusion of the succession process following the death of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
According to the plaintiffs, the ruling house had completed its statutory duty by nominating candidates for the throne and forwarding the list to the kingmakers for the next stage.
They argued that once nomination was concluded, the kingmakers were legally bound to select a candidate and forward the name to the appropriate authorities for approval in line with chieftaincy regulations.
The ruling house also challenged the suspension of the selection process. It alleged that actions taken to prevent the kingmakers from meeting disrupted a procedure already underway.
“The succession exercise had validly commenced and should have progressed through the stages prescribed by law without interference,” the claimants stated.
The suit seeks declarations affirming the legality of the nomination process conducted by the ruling house. It also asks the court to direct the kingmakers to reconvene and complete the selection of a new monarch.
In addition, the plaintiffs are requesting an order restraining further actions that could hinder the completion of the process.
Counsel to the ruling house argued that Ogun State’s chieftaincy laws provide a clear sequence for the nomination, selection and approval of a traditional ruler, and stressed that the process should proceed accordingly.
The case is expected to address key legal questions on the selection of the next Awujale and the extent of government involvement in traditional succession matters.
