Court strikes out Ondo monarch’s motion to stop execution of judgment

A High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo state capital, has struck out the motion for a stay of execution of judgment deposing the traditional ruler of Oke-Igbo, late Babajide Lawrence Oluwole as the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, council area of the state.

Justice Bolatito Ajibade in his judgment, observed that the High Court has been served with processes showing that the Appeal has been entered at the Court of Appeal, declined jurisdiction and consequently struck out the motion for execution.

It will be recalled that Justice Ademola Enikuemehin in Suit N0 HOD/80/2018, filed by two princes from the Aare Kugbaigbe Ruling House, Rufus Adekanye and Temitope Adeoye, Head and Secretary of the House respectively, had, through their counsel, Chief Sola Ebiseni, challenged the enthronement of Babajide Lawrence Oluwole as the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo by the Ondo State Government.

Enikuemehin in his judgment held that Babajide Lawrence Oluwole, not being a descendant of Aare Kugbaigbe is not a member of the Aare Kugbaigbe Ruling House and therefore not qualified as a candidate for the vacant stool or be made the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo.

The Judge consequently gave an injunction restraining “the fifth defendant ( Babajide Lawrence Oluwole) from or further parading himself or allowing himself to be paraded as or accorded the rights and privileges pertaining to the person, title and office of the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo.

According to the Judge, “Under the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo Declaration contained in Part two of Justice Adeloye Judicial Commission Of Inquiry On Chieftaincy Matters, eligibility to the throne is restricted to the descendants of Odo Eleyowo, Aare Kugbaigbe, Kuole Oloje, Aderin Ologbenla and Ajibike Adedimeji of the male linage who are thus constituted as the five Ruling Houses of the Chieftaincy.

Declaring the stool vacant, the Court directed the defendants (Ondo State Government) to set in motion the proper processes of selection and appointment by inviting the Claimants (Aare Kugbaigbe Ruling House) to present candidate (s) to fill the vacant stool of the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo Chieftaincy in accordance with the customary law, and the Chiefs Law of Ondo State.

But Babajide Lawrence Oluwole, through his lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, on 17th April 2023 filed a Notice of Appeal with a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgment pending the determination of the Appeal.

However, on the 30th day of April 2023, Babajide Lawrence Oluwole joined his ancestors while the Applicants applied for the withdrawal of the Motion for Stay of Execution was filed.

Speaking after the judgment, Prince Rufus Adekanye, head of the Aare Kugbaigbe ruling house said with this development, the road is clear for the appointment of a new Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo from the Aare Kugbaigbe Ruling House.

He said this is in accordance with the customary law of the Chieftaincy and the judgment of Justice Enikuemehin and said ” Those who claimed to have filed the Appeal are neither Princes nor recognised Chiefs in Oke-Igbo.”

He wondered how those he referred to as busybodies would remain in court on behalf of Babajide Lawrence Oluwole who has since 30th of April joined his ancestors at the age of 94.

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