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A group, Movement For Equity (MFE), has asked Ọba Afolabi Olaoye, not to be disturbed by the judgement of an Oyo State High Court delivered on Wednesday, which nullified his selection and installation as Soun of Ogbomoso.
The group, in a statement by its coordinator, Olalere Waheed, described the judgement as a temporary setback and expressed optimism that the appellate court would vindicate Ọba Laoye.
Oba Olaoye, a pastor and international businessman, had few weeks ago been selected by the kingmakers as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.
His selection was approved by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on September 2, and he was installed by the kingmakers on September 8.
The stool had become vacant following the demise of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, in December 2021, at the age of 95 after he reigned for 48 years.
Ruling on a petition brought before it by Prince Kabir Olaoye, the court presided over by Justice K.A. Adedokun, nullified the selection and installation of .
Reacting to the judgement, Waheed said the same judge had earlier given a judgement in the same court in a suit brought by another prince, Taofik Olaoye, describing the judgement as conflicting.
“Given that this same judge, in the same court 21 days ago, in another similar suit instituted by Prince Taofik Olaoye, gave a judgement in favour of Ọba Laoye, we wonder what has now happened between then and now? The Court of Appeal will resolve that in favour of Ọba Olaoye. We have no fear at all. People should be calm,” he said.
Waheed further xplained that he knows Ọba Olaoye as a law-abiding person, adding that he was surprised that the court can overrule itself.
He said he was sure Ọba Olaoye would get justice at the appellate court, urging him to call for calm within the domain, “because some never-do-wells may want to use the issue to foment trouble so as to paint the monarch in bad light.”