Paragraph 1: The Genesis of the Royal Dispute
The ancient town of Ogbomoso, nestled in the heart of Oyo State, Nigeria, found itself embroiled in a chieftaincy dispute following the passing of its revered monarch, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, in December 2021. After a reign spanning 48 years, his demise left a significant void in the traditional leadership of the community. The selection process to identify a successor, a process steeped in history and custom, soon became a subject of legal contention. The Oyo State government, on September 2, 2023, announced Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the chosen Soun of Ogbomoso, culminating in his formal installation by the kingmakers on September 8, 2023. This announcement, however, ignited a simmering conflict that would eventually escalate to the halls of justice.
Paragraph 2: The High Court’s Verdict and the Ensuing Appeal
Prince Muhammed Kabir Olaoye, contesting the legitimacy of Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s selection, initiated legal proceedings against the Oyo State Governor and eleven other parties in the third quarter of 2023. The case, registered as HOG/27/2022, centered on the adherence to the 1958 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration, the established legal framework governing the selection process. On October 25, 2023, Justice K. A. Adedokun of the Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso, delivered a judgment in favor of Prince Muhammed Kabir Olaoye, nullifying Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s appointment. The court deemed the selection process “irregular, null, and void,” asserting a violation of the established chieftaincy declaration. This verdict prompted the Oyo State government and Oba Ghandi Olaoye to swiftly file an appeal, challenging the High Court’s decision.
Paragraph 3: The Appeal Process and Legal Arguments
The appeal, filed on October 27, 2023, by the legal team of Akin Onigbinde (SAN) and Co. in Ibadan, representing the Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Justice, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, sought to overturn the High Court’s judgment. They argued that the lower court had erred in its interpretation of the 1958 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration and that the selection process of Oba Ghandi Olaoye had been conducted in full compliance with the customary and legal requirements. The appellants sought an order setting aside the lower court’s ruling or, alternatively, an order for a retrial before a different judge within the Oyo State High Court.
Paragraph 4: The Court of Appeal’s Decision: A Reversal of Fortune
On Tuesday, following a thorough review of the case, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan delivered its judgment. Justice Yargata Nimpar, presiding over a three-member panel, ruled in favor of Oba Ghandi Olaoye on all ten grounds of appeal. The appellate court’s decision effectively overturned the High Court’s ruling, thus reaffirming the legitimacy of Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s selection and installation as the Soun of Ogbomoso. This verdict marked a significant turning point in the protracted chieftaincy dispute, seemingly paving the way for Oba Ghandi Olaoye to assume his role as the traditional ruler of Ogbomoso.
Paragraph 5: The Dissenting Voice and the Path to the Supreme Court
Despite the Court of Appeal’s decisive ruling, the legal battle was far from over. Mr. Abiodun Ogunjumi, the lead counsel representing Prince Muhammed Kabir Olaoye, expressed his client’s dissatisfaction with the appellate court’s judgment. He announced his intention to file an appeal at the Supreme Court, Nigeria’s highest judicial authority, indicating a determination to pursue the case further. This declaration signaled the next stage in the legal struggle for the Ogbomoso throne, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the town’s traditional leadership.
Paragraph 6: The Lingering Uncertainty and the Future of Ogbomoso’s Leadership
The Court of Appeal’s decision, while reaffirming Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s position, did not entirely quell the discord surrounding the Soun of Ogbomoso’s selection. The impending appeal to the Supreme Court casts a long shadow over the future of Ogbomoso’s leadership, leaving the community in a state of suspense. The final resolution of this chieftaincy dispute rests with the Supreme Court, whose judgment will ultimately determine the rightful occupant of the revered throne of Ogbomoso. Until then, the town awaits the final chapter in this protracted legal saga, hoping for a resolution that will bring lasting peace and stability to their community.
