An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has dismissed a suit seeking the removal of the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao. Justice K.A. Adedokun struck out the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction and locus standi on the part of the claimants.
The suit was brought by members of the Akingbola family who contested the selection, appointment, and approval of Oba Alao as the Olugbon of Orile Igbon. The case, marked HOI/22/17, was initially filed in 2017. Claimants included Engineer Akintayo Akintola, Mrs. Olu Oyelade, Mr. Ladiran Olaniyi, Mrs. Olajoke Bolade, and Akinwale Akintola. The respondents were the Oyo State Governor, the Attorney-General of Oyo State, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, the Secretary of Surulere Local Government of Oyo State, Chief Ajani Awotoro, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Alao, and Prince John Oyewo Oyelade.
In his ruling on Monday, Justice Adedokun stated that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit because the claimants did not have the legal standing to bring the case. He also noted that Surulere Local Government, the body authorized to commence the selection process and approve the Olugbon’s appointment, was not included as a defendant.
The judge emphasized that Surulere Local Government plays a statutory role in chieftaincy matters, and its non-inclusion as a party in the suit prevented the court from properly adjudicating the matter. "It is impossible to adjudicate on the matter. It is a desired party, not a necessary party. This court lacks jurisdiction to entertain this suit, and the case is hereby struck out," Justice Adedokun stated.
Tomiwa Fadeyi, the counsel representing Oba Alao and the Magaji of the Akingbola family, Mogaji George Olayinka, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision. Fadeyi explained that the suit was struck out due to jurisdictional issues, as the court found that the Secretary of the council, who was sued as a defendant, was not a jurisdictional party. The court also held that the claimants lacked the necessary legal standing to bring the action.