The Akure Division of the Court of Appeal has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state from taking any further action aimed at removing the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Olalekan Akadiri, from office pending the determination of an appeal before the court.
The appellate court made this specific order during its sitting on Monday.
The court specifically ordered parties to maintain the status quo regarding the stool occupied by Oba Olalekan Akadiri, who was installed in 2022.
The Osun State Government had earlier declared the stool vacant in its white paper report of 2024 and directed parties involved in the dispute to await the outcome of the pending appeal.
In a ruling delivered by Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi, the appellate court barred the governor and other parties from taking any step concerning the chieftaincy dispute until the appeal is determined.
Oba Akadiri, through his counsel, Nathaniel Oke (SAN), told the court that the chairman of the town’s kingmakers, Chief Kareem Adetoyese, had allegedly written to the Gboleru Ruling House to present candidates for the stool.
The monarch argued that the move violated the government’s earlier directive that all actions relating to the chieftaincy dispute should be suspended pending the appeal.
Counsel for the parties, including representatives of the Gboleru Ruling House and the Osun State Attorney-General’s office, agreed that no action should be taken until the case is resolved.
Counsel for the kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, also supported the application for parties to maintain the status quo in the interest of peace in the community.
In his ruling, the court said, “It has been brought to the knowledge of this court that despite the government White Paper advising all parties to halt the processing of nomination of the Akirun of Ikirun, learned Silk Counsel to the 15th Respondent has informed the court that the fourth respondent has been calling for nomination for the stool.
“This has been confirmed by counsel to the appellant and other respondents. The Counsel to the fourth respondent, who is being accused of this action, denied knowledge of the action by his client.
“It is unfortunate that the 4th Respondent can go out of the Government’s directive in a matter that is pending before this court. It is hereby ordered that parties maintain the status quo and avoid breakdown of peace and order.”
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