An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Owo, Owo local government area of the state, has dethroned a first-class monarch, the Olute of Ute, in Ose local government area of the state, Oba Michael Adetunji Oluwole, from the throne.
The court, which nullified the selection process that brought Oba Oluwole to the throne, also ordered a fresh selection process into the stool.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Ademola Enikuomehin of Owo High Court, ruled that Oluwole should stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of the town.
The judge who ordered a fresh selection process from within the Olule Omoloja ruling house lineage said the dethroned monarch has no right to the throne.
The Court also affirmed that the dethroned monarch, who is a retired Army officer, was not a member of the ruling house designated to fill the vacant throne of the town.
According to the Judge, Oluwole has no right to the throne, being a member of the kingmakers of the town and should not make himself King.
The Court, however, awarded damages against the dethroned monarch in favour of the claimants, ordering a fresh selection process after 29 years of legal tussle.
While speaking on the judgment, Counsel to the Claimant, Mr Adewumi Fabuluje said it was victory at last for the Olule Omolaja Ruling House, biting that case started in 1995 and traversed all Courts.
Fabuluje explained that the case was returned from the Supreme Court to the High Court for a fresh hearing after the judgement was awarded at the Appellate Courts.
Fabuluje said it was victory at last for the Olule Omolaja ruling house for a case that started in 1995 and traversed all Courts.
On his part, Counsel to the state, F.K Salami noted that the judgment would be reviewed and necessary action would be taken.
Also, Prince Olayiwola Omoloja described the judgment as a relief from long suffering from their original entitlement, which they claimed was hijacked by a stranger.
The judgment followed a 29-year-old prolonged Chieftaincy tussle between the Olule Omoloja Ruling House and the dethroned Oba Oluwole
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