OSUN State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has been dragged before a state High Court sitting in Ikirun over the appointment of Prince Muritala Oyelakin as the new Aree of Iree in the Boripe North Local Government Area of the state.
One of the contestants to the Aree throne, Prince Ali Afolabi, who dragged Adeleke, before the court, alleged that the governor disregarded the law in the appointment of the new monarch.
Also joined in the suit are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state and the newly appointed monarch, Prince Muritala Oyelakin.
According to the plaintiff who is from the Olubonku Ruling House in Iree town, Adeleke did not follow due process in the appointment of Prince Muritala Oyelakin.
Afolabi argued that Governor Adeleke contravened Section 20, sub-section (2) of the Chief’s Law (cap.25) Laws of Osun State, 2002 by approving the selection of Oyelakin before the statutory 21 days.
It would be recalled that the state government had approved the appointment of Prince Muritala Oyelakin after sacking Prince Raphael Oluponle whose selection was approved by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
In the suit filed by his counsels, Oluwaseun Ajoba Esq, Folorunso Apantaku Esq and Oluwatosin Ajoba Esq, the plaintiff accused Governor Adeleke of flouting the rule of law and jettisoning due process in the fresh selection.
The plaintiff prayed the court to nullify the entire selection process, adding that it was “a rape of the Constitution and complete fraud”.
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The plaintiff also prayed the court for “a declaration that by Native law and Custom of Iree Kingdom And Aree Chieftaincy, a person can only be validly selected to Aree Chieftaincy by an election/selection by the Kingmakers in Iree Kingdom and no one else.”
He also prayed that “A declaration that the appointment of the 5th defendant (Oyelakin) as the Aree of Iree and consequent recognition by the 1st defendant (Adeleke) as recommended by 2nd and 4th (Iree Local Government Council) defendants as the Aree of Iree is unconscionable, inequitable, null and void.
“An order setting aside the selection/election process that produced the 5 defendants as the Aree of Iree being for being conducted or participated in by non-Kingmakers in line with the native law and custom of Iree.”
The plaintiff in the suit is also seeking a “Declaration that Olubonku ruling house is the only Chieftaincy ruling house Competent to present the candidate for the Aree Chieftaincy being the only ruling house that has yet to rule since 1866 when Atanda Olubonku ruling house ruled between 1795 to 1866.
“An order of injunction restraining the 1st to 4th defendants by themselves or proxies or by whatsoever/whatever name he/she or they are known from accepting the candidature of the 5th defendant or any candidate from any ruling house(s) of Aree Kingdom than the plaintiff ruling house.
“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant accepting or parading himself as the elected Aree of Iree King.”
TheWitness
