A dramatic twist has emerged in the battle for the vacant Owa Obokun stool in Ijesaland, Osun State. On December 16, 2024, the High Court of Ilesa, Osun State, issued an interim injunction that halts the state government and Ilesa kingmakers from making any further moves to appoint a new monarch.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, alongside the Ijesa kingmakers, had been preparing to fill the vacant position of Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland. The seat, which holds great cultural and political significance in the region, became vacant after the death of the previous monarch.
The decision to delay the appointment comes after a legal battle initiated by the Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, one of the contesting parties. The family members, led by the head of the family, filed a suit before the High Court of Ilesa, challenging the appointment process. The suit, numbered HIL/117/2024, was aimed at preventing any premature appointment to the throne.
The applicants, who are concerned about their rights and claims to the stool, sought an order to stop Governor Adeleke and the kingmakers from proceeding with any further steps toward selecting or installing a new Owa Obokun. Their application was filed in response to concerns over the fairness of the nomination process and the inclusion of a particular candidate, Adesuyi Haastrup.
In the suit, the applicants named several key figures in the dispute, including Governor Adeleke, the Obanla of Ijesaland, Chief Folorunso Adeniyi, and 11 other prominent kingmakers. The Ijesa Central Traditional Council, Osun State Attorney General Adesuyi Haastrup, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters were also named as defendants.
The court’s ruling grants the applicants temporary relief by issuing an interim injunction. The order, delivered by Justice A. Aderibigbe, effectively prohibits the respondents—Governor Adeleke, the kingmakers, and the other defendants—from taking any steps to present, nominate, elect, or install any individual as the new Owa Obokun. This injunction remains in place until the final resolution of the suit.
Justice Aderibigbe’s order underscores the importance of ensuring that the selection of the new Owa Obokun is handled fairly and transparently. It also serves as a temporary safeguard for the applicants, who argue that their interests in the throne are being overlooked.
The court’s decision comes as a significant moment for Ijesaland, as the Owa Obokun stool is a central figure in the social and political life of the region. The process of selecting a new monarch is usually a matter of intense local interest and sometimes controversy, as the throne holds both symbolic and political power.
With the ruling in place, the nomination process has been halted, meaning no new appointments can be made until the court determines the rightful claimant to the stool. This ruling has cast a shadow over the aspirations of those hoping to succeed the late monarch.
“The court has done well in preserving the integrity of the process,” said a spokesperson for the Ofokutu Royal Family. “We believe that our claims are legitimate, and this injunction gives us the time to fully present our case.”
In a statement following the ruling, the Ilesa Kingmakers expressed their disappointment. “While we respect the court’s decision, we believe that the process was fair and transparent,” a member of the group said. “We remain committed to ensuring the continued progress of Ijesaland and will abide by the court’s ruling.”
The case is expected to return to court on January 14, 2025, for further hearings. The final determination of the case will likely have lasting implications for the future of the Owa Obokun stool and the broader political landscape in Ijesaland.
