Royal Embarrassment: Court Orders Oluwo’s Arrest

By Abdulrofiu Agboola

A magistrate court, sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, has ordered the arrest of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, following his refusal to appear in court in a case instituted against him by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, Oba Kadiri Adeoye.

Magistrate Olusola Aluko who presided over the court on Tuesday, issued a bench warrant despite the application for stay of proceeding; notice of preliminary objection and a notice of appeal file before the court by the monarch’s counsel, Mr Olaide Yekeen.

The magistrate had for two consecutive sittings on the matter directed the Oluwo to appear before the court to answer the case against him.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Soji Oyetayo had insisted the application before the court was likened to a criminal case which demanded for Oluwo’s presence in the court, because he could not be represented on the matter.

When the issue came up on Tuesday, Oba Akanbi did not show up despite the directive by the magistrate during the last sitting.

Oluwo was, however, represented by his counsel, Mr Olaide Yekeen.

Aluko had during the previous sitting on the matter on December 2, 2016 said that he would not hesitate to issue a bench warrant against Oluwo if he refused to appear before the court.

The Oluwo of Iwo Oke, Oba Adeoye dragged Oba Akanbi to court on the allegations bordering on criminal activities.

Yekeen, counsel to Oba Akanbi, told the court that his client had several applications before the court and the notice of preliminary objection which bordered on competence and jurisdiction of the court should be heard first before the substantive application.

In his submission, counsel to the plaintiff, Oyetayo recalled that the court made an order at the last sitting which the Oluwo had refused to comply with.

Ruling on the matter, magistrate Aluko agreed with the respondent (Oluwo) on the issue of jurisdiction and said the notice of appeal was not ripe to entertain.

He said: “the court mandated the first respondent to appear in court. He has violated the court order of the last adjourned date. I hereby issue a bench warrant against him.