The Onifiditi of Fiditi in Oyo State, Oba Oyeleye Sakirudeen, appealed on Wednesday against the decision of an Oyo State High Court that canceled his appointment as the Onifiditi of Fiditi.
PUNCH Online reports that Justice K. B. Olawoyin of the state High Court, in a case marked IHOY/59/2013, filed by Samuel Ogunkunle and Bayo Oyewale against the traditional ruler and seven others, granted an order setting aside the selection and appointment of Oba Sakirudeen.
Other respondents include Ademola Akande, Depo Oguntoyin, Kunle Oniyitan, the Oyo State Governor, Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and Adebola.
The judge also ordered the defendants and their agents not to take any further action towards filling the vacant stool of Onifiditi of Fiditi until the suit is resolved.
Justice Olawoyin also awarded a cost of N200,000 in favor of the applicants against the defendants and adjourned the suit until May 22, 2024.
The notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division by Onifiditi’s counsel, Femi Alamu, stated that the lower court made a mistake in setting aside the selection and appointment of Oba Sakirudeen as Onifiditi of Fiditi.
The counsel said, “The judge failed to consider that the governor has powers to upgrade and jettison the Baaleship which had been in contention among the people of the town and create a new kingship title which has now put an end to the problem in Fiditi town.”
The counsel asked the court to overturn the ruling of the lower court which cancelled the selection and appointment of Oba Sakirudeen as the Onifiditi of Fiditi.
The case is, however, yet to be assigned to any judge.
