The High Court of Justice sitting in Iragbiji, Osun State, has upheld the 2013 decision of the Osun State government on the recognised ruling houses of Iragbiji, setting aside a 2025 decision that recognised the Lagbua Family as the fifth ruling house.

The judgment was delivered on August 21, 2026, by Justice G.O. Lawal of the Iragbiji Judicial Division in Suit No. HIR/3/2025.

The case was instituted by representatives of the four recognised ruling houses in Iragbiji—Ajibode, Ogunmolu, Osungbemi and Arodoye.

The dispute centred on the decision of the Osun State government in 2025 to reopen and approve the recommendation of the 2010 Aderibigbe Judicial Panel of Inquiry, which recommended the inclusion of the Lagbua Family as a fifth ruling house.

According to a statement on Friday by the Press Secretary to the Aragbiji, Aderibigbe Adetayo Samson, the court held that the Osun State government had previously considered the matter in 2013 and rejected the request of the Lagbua Family.

The government’s decision was reportedly communicated through an official letter and subsequently published in the Osun State Gazette.

The court held that the 2013 decision had effectively brought the earlier panel process to an end and that the government could not reopen the matter and approve the same report in 2025 without following the appropriate legal process.

Justice Lawal also found that the four recognised ruling houses were not given notice or an opportunity to be heard before the 2025 decision was taken.

The court held that the action amounted to a breach of the rights of the four legally recognised ruling houses.

Consequently, the court set aside the January 29, 2025 decision of the Osun State Executive Council recognising the Lagbua Family as the fifth ruling house.

It also nullified the 2025 White Paper and the consequential amendment to the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Chieftaincy Declaration.

Reacting to the judgment, the four recognised ruling houses commended the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, for what they described as his efforts to preserve the historical rights and heritage of the town.

The statement also said the monarch had demonstrated exemplary leadership, wisdom and commitment to the peace, unity and stability of Iragbiji.

It added that the judgment was significant to the people of Iragbiji and underscored the importance of due process and fair hearing in government decision-making.