Shortly after a court ruling ousted a monarch appointed by OSU State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Justice Micheal Awe intervened to halt the presentation of staff of office to the second king of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin.
The conflict began when Adeleke rejected the appointment of Oba Ademola Ponnle by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, and instead installed Muritala Oyelakin as king, leading to the emergence of two kings in Iree.
This dispute has caused turmoil in the community, with kingmakers refusing to perform traditional rites for Oba Oyelakin.
Despite the scheduled presentation of the certificate, instrument, and staff of office to Oba Oyelakin on Saturday, May 5, Justice Awe’s court order restrained Adeleke, his government, and four traditional chiefs, including Oba Oyelakin, from proceeding with the ceremony.
The order was granted in response to a lawsuit filed by Oba Ademola Ponnle, on Friday, May 3, which stated that Oba Ademola Ponnle in suit number HOS/20/2024who sought to stop the ceremony.
The order read, “I have no doubt in my mind having considered the deposition of the Applicant together with the attached Exhibits as well as counsel’s submissions on same that this Application ought to succeed. There is indeed an urgent need to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction also filed in respect of the same matter.
“Accordingly, the Claimant/Applicant’s application succeeds and it is hereby ordered as prayed. And specifically, the Governor of Osun and other respondents are hereby restrained from issuing Prince Muritala Oyelakin with a Certificate, instrument, and/ or Staff of Office as the Aree of Iree or taking any further steps in formally installing him.”
The court order specified that Oba Oyelakin is banned from receiving any instrument or Staff of Office as the Aree of Iree or proceeding with any formal installation until the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction is heard and determined.
Justice Awe has scheduled the hearing for Wednesday, May 8.
