…Threatens contempt proceedings against governor, commissioners

Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and two of his commissioners are facing the prospect of contempt proceedings for allegedly disregarding a subsisting court order following the approval of a new monarch for Supare-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Council Area of the state.

With the development creating tensions in the community, the threat of legal action against the governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was issued on Wednesday by human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, on behalf of Prince Solomon Animasahun Adelakun, one of the contenders for the Olusupare stool.

Babaleye accused the Ondo State Executive Council of committing what he described as “a flagrant disobedience to a subsisting court order and a reckless affront to the sanctity of the Judiciary” when it ratified the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatunsi Richard as the new Olusupare during its meeting on Tuesday.

The dispute centers on a substantive suit, marked HKA/32/2024, currently pending before the Ondo State High Court, Oka Division. Prince Animasahun had approached the court after he was allegedly excluded from the selection process for the new monarch, challenging the process and seeking legal redress.

According to Babaleye, an interlocutory injunction restraining the Ondo State Government from taking any step to approve the appointment remains subsisting pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

While speaking with newsmen in Akure, the state capital, Babaleye said “Despite the existence of this subsisting court order, the Ondo State Government, at its State Executive Council meeting of July 28, 2026, went ahead to ratify the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatunsi Richard.”

The lawyer said the case had reached an advanced stage, with both parties having called their witnesses and closed their respective cases, noting that the matter had been adjourned until September 23, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses, after which the court is expected to deliver its judgment.

Babaleye alleged that the state government was represented by counsel at the last adjourned date and was therefore fully aware that the case had reached its concluding stage.

He argued that the approval amounted to self-help and could render the proceedings before the court nugatory.

He called on Aiyedatiwa to immediately put the approval on hold until the court delivers its judgment, which he said is expected before the end of the year.

The lawyer further claimed that the peace of Supare Akoko was now under serious threat following the government’s announcement, describing the ratification as illegal and a breach of the subsisting court order.

Babaleye said the alleged recurring breach of court orders in chieftaincy disputes in the state was becoming “too loud and alarming,” warning that such actions could affect peace and stability in Ondo State.

He warned that if the government failed to reverse the approval, it would have no option but to initiate contempt proceedings against the governor and all officials allegedly involved in what he described as illegality.

The dispute over the stool was filed before Justice B. F. Ajibade of the State High Court sitting in Oka Akoko after Prince Animasahun was allegedly excluded from the selection process for the new Olusupare, prompting him to challenge the process and seek legal redress.