Chieftancy tussle: Court declares Akinfala as eligible for Olowu stool

An Osun State High Court in Osogbo on Friday declared Prince Dauda Akinfala as an eligible candidate to fill the vacant stool of Olowu of Orile Owu, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.

Akinfala is of Lagbedo ruling house in Orile Owu kingdom.

Justice Olubukola Ayoola granted order of perpetual injunction restraining Prince Bayo Aderinle and other members of the Apina family from being nominated for the vacant stool.

The court also restrained the state government from accepting any such nomination.

The judge gave the orders while delivering judgement in a suit filed by Akinfala challenging the eligibility of Aderinle to occupy the stool of Olowu.

The suit was filed in 2011 by Mr Olusegun Olatoye, the lawyer to the plaintiff.

The judge held that the evidence of the defendants during cross examinations were inconsistent and did not corroborate the content and facts of the case.

She held that the Lagbedo ruling house was the next to occupy the vacant stool from the six ruling houses.

The judge said that since the creation of Orile Owu, ascension to the throne has been by rotation among the ruling houses where vacancy existed.

“After the death of Oba Afelele, justice has shown that it is the turn of Lagbedo ruling house to present the candidate,” she said.

She urged all parties to respect the rule of law and to allow peace to reign in Orile Owu kingdom.