An Osun State High Court in Osogbo has stopped Governor Ademola Adeleke from giving the Staff of Office to the new Aree of Iree town, Oba Muritala Oyelakin.
The court order on Friday, May 3, came after Oba Raphael Oluponle filed a motion through his lawyer, Abdulrahaman Okunade, seeking to stop Adeleke from installing Oyelakin as the Aree until the substantive case is resolved.
Other people named in the case are Prince Muritala Oyelakin, the State Attorney-General, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, among others.
The applicant's lawyer, Okunade, asked the court to stop the defendants from giving Oyelakin a certificate or staff of office as the Aree of Iree until the case is resolved.
The respondents did not have legal representation in court.
Justice M. Awe said, “After reviewing the applicant's deposition and the attached exhibits, as well as the lawyer's arguments, I believe this application should be granted.
“It is urgent to maintain the current situation until the motion for interlocutory injunction is heard.
“So, the applicant's request is granted as requested.”
The judge added, “The 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th respondents are ordered to stop giving the 9th defendant (Prince Muritala Oyelakin) a certificate or staff of office as the Aree of Iree.
The applicant, Oba Raphael Oluponle, became Aree in November 2022, appointed by the former governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Adeleke, who succeeded Oyetola, promptly reversed the appointments of traditional rulers made by Oyetola.
He specifically asked Oba Oluponle, Oba Olalekan Akadiri, and Oba Adegboyega Famoodun to leave their palaces while a probe into their appointments was underway.
In January 2024, the state government issued White Papers on the probe into the controversies surrounding the emergence of the three royal fathers and called for new selection processes for the Aree and Owa of Igbajo positions.
The Akinrun position was declared vacant, pending the outcome of a lawsuit at the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State.
The state government's new selection processes chose Oyelakin as the new Aree, while Oba Ademola Makinde was appointed and installed as the new Owa of Igbajo.
