…Orders parties to maintain status quo

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has issued a restraining order against the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and other parties involved in the contentious Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy dispute.

With the court in a suit CA/AK/187/2021 directing that no further steps be taken pending the determination of an ongoing appeal, the ruling comes amid allegations that the state government had directed kingmakers to initiate fresh nominations despite a subsisting appeal before the same court.

The motion, filed by the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Yinusa Akadiri, through his counsel N.O. Oke, SAN, drew the court’s attention to a letter written by Chief Kareem Adetoyese, the Eesa and Chairman of the Kingmakers, indicating that he was acting on the directives of the state governor to call on the Gboleru Ruling House to present candidates for the stool.

Oba Akadiri further brought to the court’s notice the Osun State Government White Paper, which ordered that all issues relating to the Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy crisis be placed on hold pending the determination of the subsisting appeal at the Court of Appeal in Akure.

Counsel to the monarch argued that despite the government directive and the ongoing appellate process, the Eesa of Ikirun had proceeded to write to the Gboleru Ruling House, instructing them to present candidates to the kingmakers as ordered by Adeleke.

He urged the court for an order for all parties to maintain the status quo as contained in the white paper.

Counsel the various parties to the appeal, including G. A. Adesina for the appellants’ Gboleru Ruling House and Bamidele Salami from the office of the Attorney General of Osun State, agreed that no action be taken pending the determination of the appeal.

Supporting the motion and the need to maintain the status quo in the interest of justice and peace in the community, counsel to the Kingmakers, Chief Sola Ebiseni, informed the court that the appeal was adjourned for hearing on the day as all parties had filed their respective briefs but for the application of some counsel for the substitution of their deceased clients.

Ruling on the motion, the three-member panel of the appellate court, Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi (Presiding), Justice Peter O. Afen, and Justice N.U. Okaisabor, noted, “It has been brought to the knowledge of this Court that despite the Government White Paper advising all parties to halt the processing of the nomination of the Akirun of Ikirun, learned Silk Counsel to the 15th Respondent has informed the Court that the 4th Respondent has been calling for nomination for the stool.”

The court expressed dismay that the fourth respondent could act contrary to the government’s directive in a matter actively pending before the appellate court.

“This has been confirmed by Counsel to the Appellant and other Respondents. The counsel to the 4th respondent, who is being accused of this action, denied knowledge of the action by his client.

“It is unfortunate that the 4th Respondent can go out of the government’s directive in a matter that is pending before this Court. It is hereby ordered that parties maintain the status quo and avoid breakdown of peace and order.”