Court restricts Adeleke and others over Akirun Ikirun chieftaincy dispute

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has issued an order directing all parties to suspend any activity related to the Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy until the pending appeal is resolved.

The directive followed a Motion on Notice filed by Oba Yinusa Akadiri, the Akinrun of Ikirun, through his counsel, N.O. Oke SAN.

Oba Akadiri cited a letter from Chief Kareem Adetoyese, the Eesa and Chairman of the Kingmakers, which stated that he was acting under the governor’s instructions to summon the Gboleru Ruling House to present candidates for the stool.

The monarch also referenced an Osun State Government White Paper that directs all matters concerning the Akirun chieftaincy crisis to be paused until the Court of Appeal in Akure decides the existing appeal.

Despite this directive, Oba Akadiri’s counsel informed the court that the Eesa had written to the Gboleru Ruling House to commence the selection process as ordered by Governor Adeleke.

Counsel urged the court to enforce the status quo outlined in the White Paper.

Representatives for the various parties in the appeal, including G.A. Adesina for the appellants’ Gboleru Ruling House and Bamidele Salami from the Office of the Attorney‑General of Osun State, agreed that no action should proceed while the appeal is pending.

Chief Sola Ebiseni, counsel for the kingmakers, supported the motion and the need to maintain the status quo to preserve justice and peace in the community.

He informed the court that the appeal was originally scheduled for hearing, as all parties had filed their briefs, but was adjourned due to an application for substitution of deceased clients.

In its ruling, Presiding Judge Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi noted that, although the government White Paper advised all parties to halt the nomination process for the Akirun of Ikirun, counsel for the 15th respondent informed the court that the 4th respondent had been calling for nominations.

This claim was confirmed by counsel for the appellant and other respondents.

The counsel for the 4th respondent, who was accused of the action, denied any knowledge of it.

Gbagi remarked, “It is unfortunate that the 4th Respondent can go out of the Government’s directive in a matter that is pending before this Court.”

The court therefore ordered that parties maintain the status quo and avoid any actions that could disrupt peace and order.

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