Court sacks Ooni’s second in command, orders replacement

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, has removed the traditional prime minister of Ife, the Obalufe of Ife, Chief Idowu Adediwura from office.

The court also ordered the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to fill the stool within 21 days from the Aga Ruling House.

The Obalufe is next to Ooni in rank.

The presiding judge, Justice Foluke Awolalu in her judgment on the suit instituted by Abayomi Elugbuji on behalf of himself and the Aga Ruling House, held that the installation of Adediwura was not in accordance with the provisions of Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957.

Read also: Group wants January 2020 date for TIN reviewed

The court further held that going by the Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957, it was the turn of Aga Ruling House to produce Obalufe and not Ajagbusiekun, where Adediwura that was eventually installed hails from. It also restrained Adediwura from parading himself as the Obalufe.

Speaking to reporters after the judgement, counsel for the plaintiff, Mr Babafemi Akande, described the judgment as sound and clear and that a Chieftaincy Declaration once registered had become the law.

“The law is very clear, nobody is above the law and no one is below it. So the judge gave the judgment in accordance with the dictates of the law,” Akande said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now