JUST IN: Court sacks Oyo monarch

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By Segun Showunmi, Ibadan

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Monday ordered the Alajaawa of Ajaawa in Ogo-Oluwa Local Government of the state, Oba Thompson Oyetunji to vacate his stool, and stop parading himself as the monarch of the town.

The court also ordered the governor of the state and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to withdraw the certificate and staff of office given to Oyetunji, saying that it was done in flagrant disobedience to the court order made on 11th of March, 2020.

The presiding judge of the court, Justice Sherifat Adeyemi in her ruling nullified the appointment, and approval and presentation of certificate for installation and staff of office for Oba Oyetunji by the governor of the state, saying that evidence has clearly shown that it was done against the court order during the pendency of the suit until the final determination of the case.

The judge also compelled Oyetunji to stop parading himself as the monarch of the town pending of the final determination of the case.

According to the judge, “The signature on a letter dated 11th of June, 2020 to counter affidavit appeared to have been forged and not that of the first claimant, Police should investigate the issue because it is against the law”.

“There was no evidence that shows that there has been a move to settle the case out of court and if there is any, it should be brought to the knowledge of the court.”

She however adjourned the case to the 26th of April for the continuation of hearing of the case.

Recall that the claimants, Prince Azeez Oyebunmi and Prince Kamorudeen Salami filed a suit on behalf of Olumole ruling House of Ajaawa against the governor of Oyo State, Attorney General of Oyo State, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Thompson Oyetunji, Chief Adewale Erinle, Chief Ademola Isola, Chief Adegbite Adeleke, Prince Oyegoke Oyegbami, Prince Oladele Akinbola, and Prince Gideon Oyekunle who are defendants.

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The claimant’s prayer before the court include: that the court should give an order setting aside the purported appointment, and approval and presentation of a certificate of installation and staff of office for Oba Oyetunji by the governor of the state which was done against the court order during the pending of the suit until the final determination of the case

“An order directing the governor of the state, the Attorney General of the State, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to immediately withdraw any certificate of installation and staff of office as Alaajawa of Ajaawa which was done against the court order during the pending of the suit until the final determination of the case.

“An order restraining Oba Oyetunji from parading himself as the monarch or using the connection of the office pending final determination of the suit.

Meanwhile, counsel to the claimants, Johnson Orodiran (quote the names of the lawyer below the 3rd page) described the ruling as uncommon, saying that it will further reinforce public confidence in the judicial system.”

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