Igbajo Kingship Tussle: Ruling House Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot To Impose APC Chairman, Famodun

A ruling house in Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government of Osun State, has cried out over the alleged influence of the All Progressives Congress, APC, chairman in the state, Prince Gboyega Famodun, to become the traditional ruler of the town.

The Owa lloro (Agbon) ruling house alleged that some elements are trying to impose the APC chairman as the new Owa of Igbajo.

In an open letter to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, with the Osun State executive council and Chief Justice copied, the family alleged a plot to manipulate executive and judicial processes to stage-manage and unduly interfere with the Obaship.

The Owa of Igbajoland seat has been vacant since 2020 after the demise of Oba Olufemi Fasade, Akeran IV.

According to the letter jointly signed by the Head, Owa lloro Ruling House, Chief Aderemi Adeife Latilo, and Ag. Secretary of the house, Prince Taye Abodunrin, the family had instituted a suit with No:HIK/10/2021 before an Ikirun High Court that it was its turn to present candidate(s) to fill the vacant stool of the Owa of Igbajo.

The letter further that “Since the institution of this case, the matter has been active and kicking with filling and exchange of processes by parties with the last one filed a few days ago by our Counsel in response to the ones filed by adverse parties with about four hearing dates already attended to. Of interest is the recent application for joinder dated 18 August 2022 by a member of Ow Oke-Ode (Akeran) Ruling House in the person of Prince Adegoke Paul Olaniyi Akande, who is a brother to Prince Gboyega Famodun.

“Justice S. O. Falola was the first to have the present suit before him until his transfer which led to Honourable Justice Onibokun taking over the matter until her transfer as well. The matter is presently before Honorable Justice Adeleke, which matter stood adjourned till the 24th day October, 2022 for the hearing of all pending applications.

“About two weeks ago, information filtered across the community of lgbajo that a strategic/high-level meeting was held in Osogbo where some resolutions were made and assurances given to Prince Gboyega Famodun that everything would be done to actualize making him or any nominee of his choice the Owa of igbajo on or before the exit of the present government on 27′ day of November 2022 which is about 50 days ahead. Members of Owa Oke-Ode Ruling House resorted to wild jubilation in the community that the influence of their son Prince Gboyega Famodun would come into play in their favour.

“We started beaming our eagle eyes in all areas to see whether the plan and resolution to unduly favour Prince Gboyega Famodun Owa Oke Ode Ruling House would start to materialize or not.

“Alas, we received the highest shock of our life when we suddenly learnt two days ago that our case pending before Honourable Justice Adeleke of Ikirun High Court had been recalled by Honorable Chief Judge of Osun State for re-assignment without any clear complaint or reason from any of the parties in the suit.”

The ruling house accused that the re-assignment of the suit to another Judge outside the original jurisdiction of Ikirun High Court cannot be justified under whatever guise except with premeditated intention to achieve a targeted result in favour of the APC chairman, Famodun.

“This is because Honourable Justice Adeleke of Ikirun high Court who presently presides over the matter is not on vacation, indisposed or in any way unable to adjudicate over the matter to warrant the planned re-assignment.”