By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has restrained Mr. Akinyele Peter Oyewo from parading himself as the Olu of Akiriboto, Aiyedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, pending the determination of a substantive suit.

Mr. Oyewo was reportedly installed by the state government on May 21 despite agitation from other princes and princesses who had accused the state government of not following due process.

Also joined in the suit, marked HOS/38/2024, dated June 13, 2024, are the Governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice.

The presiding judge, Justice A.O. Oyebiyi, who granted the request of the claimants on the motion ex parte, ordered the first defendant to stop parading himself as the new Olu of Akiriboto pending the final determination of the suit.

The claimant, in the motion ex parte obtained in court by his legal counsel, Chief Abdulfatai Abdulsalam, disowned the embattled Mr. Oyewo, saying he is not entitled to ascend the throne.

The judge, while granting the request for an order, restrained the state government, Governor Ademola Adeleke, Aiyedaade Local Government Area Chairman, and Aiyedaade in Council from recognizing the first defendant as the new Olu of Akiriboto-Oke town.

“An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st Defendant/Respondent from further parading himself as Olu of Akiriboto-Oke, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

“An order of interim injunction is also granted restraining the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants/Respondents, their agents, privies, or whoever acts for them, including the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Chairman, and Secretary of Aiyedaade Local Government Area, from taking any further steps on the chieftaincy of Olu of Akiriboto-Oke and its elevation pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

“An order of interim injunction is also granted restraining the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants/Respondents, their agents, privies, or whoever acts for them, including the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Chairman, and Secretary of Aiyedaade Local Government Area, from recognizing, acknowledging, or dealing with the 1st Defendant as a recognized Chief Olu of Akiriboto-Oke, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, which is hereby fixed for hearing on Tuesday, the 19th day of June, 2024.”

The court, however, warned that unless the defendants obey the directions contained in this order, they will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.