Stakeholders and traditional titleholders in Iree, a town in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, have insisted that the Aree of Iree stool remains vacant, warning individuals against flouting court orders or parading themselves as monarch.
This follows the ruling of an Osun State High Court in Osogbo, delivered by Justice M.O. Awe on May 14, 2024. The court ruled that there is currently no recognised occupant of the Aree of Iree throne and barred Prince Muritala Oyelakin from presenting himself as the monarch.
In the judgment, the court specifically directed Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State Government not to install Prince Oyelakin or hand over the staff of office to him. The ruling was in response to legal disputes surrounding the process that led to his selection as Aree.
Justice Awe held that the process that produced Prince Oyelakin was flawed and that his recognition as monarch was premature and illegal. The court also stressed that until all legal matters concerning the stool are fully resolved, the throne should remain vacant.
Despite the court’s clear instructions, recent statements and actions by some individuals in the town have suggested that a person currently occupies the stool. This development has sparked outrage among other members of the royal families and legal stakeholders.
Reacting to the situation, Prince Ali Afolabi, a member of the Olubonku ruling house and one of the parties in the case, issued a strong warning on Saturday against what he described as deliberate disobedience of the court’s judgment.
In a statement made available to the press, Afolabi reminded the public that the High Court’s order remains binding, noting that both the state government and the individuals involved in the dispute are expected to act within the limits of the law.
“It has come to my notice and to other respectable leaders in our valuable town of Iree that some stakeholders have been disregarding with impunity a subsisting court judgment on the Aree stool,” Afolabi said.
“They have been unlawfully ascribing the royal office of the land to someone who has been barred by the court from parading himself as the Aree of Iree. This is unacceptable and a direct insult to the authority of the judiciary.”
Afolabi cited two separate ongoing court cases — suit numbers HOS/20/2024 and HOS/52/2024 — as further proof that the matter is far from resolved. He emphasised that any attempt to install or recognise a monarch while these cases are ongoing could amount to contempt of court.
He further noted that even the Osun State Government, which was ordered not to take further steps in installing Oyelakin, has so far refrained from issuing the staff of office or making any formal declaration. This, he said, is proof that the state understands the seriousness of the court’s directive.
“What will be embarrassing for our community is if some stakeholders, who are supposed to know better, continue to disregard court rulings while the government itself is obeying the judgment. We cannot afford to let sentiments and personal interests override the law,” he added.
Prince Afolabi urged the sons and daughters of Iree, both at home and abroad, to respect the rule of law and allow due process to take its course. He maintained that peace, unity, and development in the town are only possible when everyone abides by legal and democratic principles.
“It is more worrisome that some of these defaulters are people who should know the importance of obeying the rule of law in a democratic society like ours. Two separate court rulings have declared there is no Aree of Iree at present until the current litigations are validly addressed,” he stressed.
He called on traditional chiefs, community elders, politicians, and youths in Iree to avoid actions or statements that may lead to contempt of court or stir further division in the town. According to him, Iree’s reputation as a peaceful and united town must not be tarnished by unlawful actions or political interference.
The kingship tussle in Iree has remained a source of tension since late 2023, following the death of the previous Aree. Multiple ruling houses have laid claim to the stool, each arguing that it is their rightful turn to produce the next traditional ruler.
As legal proceedings continue, the people of Iree have been advised to remain calm and law-abiding, while the judiciary resolves the matter in line with due process. Many community members and observers have also called on the Osun State Government to maintain its neutral stance and avoid any actions that could be interpreted as biased.
