Court declares installation of Ogun monarch illegal

The Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta, on Tuesday, declared the installation of Oba Alexander MacGregor, as the Olu of Orile Ilewo, as illegal.

Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi in her ruling directed MacGregor to stop parading himself as the monarch of the town, pending the determination of the suit filed against the processesbtgat led to his nomination before the Court.

The Judge acted in response to a suit filed by Dr David Ogunsanya on behalf of the Ariku Royal Family of Ilawo that the Court should declare Macgregor’s claim to the throne invalid.

Justice Majekodunmi faulted the State Government for proceeding to install MacGregor, despite pending court cases.

She described the action as an act of impunity and disregard to the Court order.

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The judge, therefore, granted an order of mandatory injunction restraining Macgregor from parading himself as the Olu of Orile Ilawo and restoring the Olu Of Orile Ilawo stool to the way it was when all parties had submitted before the court.

She ordered the withdrawal of all instrument and staff of office and other symbols of authority bestowed on Macgregor by the government.

“It is an impunity and disregard to this court for the defendant to go ahead with the installation of the 7th defendant (Macgregor) despite pending court case

“Immediately a case is ongoing, people are under legal duty not to go ahead with anything pending the determination of the suit. Doing such is tantamount in undermining the integrity of the court.

“The court hereby order the withdrawal of staff of office and other things that make Macgregor as Olu of Ilawo pending the determination of the suit.

“The 7th defendant should also refrain from parading himself as Olu of Ilawo.”

The Ogunsanya- Ariku family had approached the court after warrant chiefs approved by Ilawo tradition council of chiefs were allegedly shortchanged and substituted with strange name for the purpose of nomination and selection of the candidate to fill the stool of Olu of Orile Ilawo, after the death of the former king on December 24, 2021.

They had also sought to halt the installation process, challenging Macgregor’s claim to the throne.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE