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Court Stops Appointment Of Oba In Ondo Community
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Community leaders reject government’s chosen monarch, cite non-indigene claim.
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Government vows to obey court order, case adjourned to October 9
An Ondo State High Court sitting in Okitipupa has granted an interim injunction restraining the state government from appointing or recognising any individual as the Oba of Alagbon in the Ugbo area of Ilaje Local Government Area.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Justice T.M. Adedipe issued the order following a motion filed by the Alagbon community, challenging the alleged imposition of a monarch. The suit, marked HOK/76/2022, was brought by D.J. Ayenowo of Sola Ebiseni and Associates.
The court granted three key reliefs, including an order stopping the government and its agents from taking further steps toward installing any monarch, nullifying any previous action such as the issuance of a staff of office, and restraining actions that could undermine the court’s authority pending the hearing of the main case.
The conflict began after the state government confirmed Prince Olusola Joseph Ajaka as the “Gbogunron of Idi-Ogba Alagbon” based on recommendations from the Justice Ajama Chieftaincy Commission. Community leaders rejected the decision, insisting the Gbogunron family is not indigenous to Alagbon and lacks any chieftaincy rights there.
They further accused a serving commissioner from the Gbogunron family of using his influence to sway the government’s approval.
Despite legal proceedings, the Ondo State Executive Council announced appointments of Prince Ajaka and another monarch, prompting the community to swiftly seek legal redress.
Following Thursday’s court order, a senior official of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs confirmed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration would obey the injunction. All relevant parties have been served the order.
The case has been adjourned to October 9, 2025, after the court’s annual vacation.
