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An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Monday ordered the Alajaawa of Ajaawa in Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area of the state, Oba Thompson Oyetunji, to vacate his throne and stop parading himself as the monarch of the town.
The court also ordered the Governor Seyi Makinde and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Bayo Lawal, to withdraw the certificate and staff of office given to Oyetunji, because it was done in flagrant disobedience to the court order made on March 11, 2020.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Sherifat Adeyemi nullified the appointment, approval and presentation of certificate of installation and staff of office to Oyetunji by the governor of the state, saying that evidence has clearly shown that it was done in disobedience to a subsisting court order during the pendency of the suit.
The judge also compelled Oyetunji to stop parading himself as the monarch of the town pending of the final determination of the case.
A”The signature on a letter dated 11th of June, 2020 to counter affidavit appeared to have been forged and not that of the first claimant, Police should investigate the issue because it is against the law.
“There was no evidence that shows that there has been a move to settle the case out of court and if there is any, it should be brought to the knowledge of the court,” Justice Adeyemi held.
She however adjourned the case till April 26 for the continuation of hearing of the case.
It would be recalled that the claimants, Prince Azeez Oyebunmi and Prince Kamorudeen Salami filed a suit on behalf of Olumole ruling House of Ajaawa against the selection of Oyetunji.
The defendants in the case are Oyo State governor; Attorney General of Oyo State; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; Prince Thompson Oyetunji; Chief Adewale Erinle; Chief Ademola Isola; Chief Adegbite Adeleke; Prince Oyegoke Oyegbami; Prince Oladele Akinbola and Prince Gideon Oyekunle.
The claimants prayed the court to give “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval and presentation of certificate of installation and staff of office to Oyetunji.
“An order directing the governor of the state, the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to immediately withdraw any certificate of installation and staff of office as Alaajawa of Ajaawa .
“An order restraining Oyetunji from parading himself as the monarch or using the connection of the office pending final determination of the suit.”
Counsel to the claimants, Johnson Orodiran, described the ruling as uncommon, saying that it will further reinforce public confidence in the judicial system.