The Alajaawa of Ajaawa in Ogo-Oluwa local government area of Oyo state, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji Atunlute Olumole II, has been sacked by an Oyo state High Court, sitting in Ibadan today (February 15) just as he was ordered to stop parading himself as the monarch of the town.
In addition, the court, presided over by Justice Sherifat Adeyemi, ordered the governor of the state and the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters to forthwith withdraw the certificate and staff of office given to Oyetunji on the ground that his installation was in gross violation of the court order of March 11, 2020.
Justice Adeyemi in her ruling declared null and void the appointment, approval, issuing of certificate of installation and staff of office to Oyetunji, asserting that it was against the court order during the pendency of the suit until the final determination of the case, while also directing Oyetunji to stop parading himself as Alajaawa pending the final determination of the case.
Meanwhile, the case was adjourned to April 26 for the continuation of hearing of the case.
The case was instituted by Prince Azeez Oyebunmi and Prince Kamorudeen Salami on behalf of themselves and Olumole ruling house of Ajaawa against the Oyo state governor, commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Prince Thompson Oyetunji, Chief Adewale Erinle, Chief Ademola Isola, Chief Adegbite Adeleke, Prince Oyegoke Oyegbami, Prince Oladele Aknibola and Prince Gideon Oyekunle, who are the defendants.
The claimants Oyebunmi and Salami had prayed the court to give an order setting aside the purported appointment and approval and presentation of certificate of installation and staff of office to Oba Oyetunji by the governor of the state which was done against the court order during the pending of the suit until the final determination of the case.
The Insight recalls that Oba Oyetunji was installed Alajaawa of Ajaawa on July 3, 2020 by Ajaawa kingmakers and was given the certificate of installation and staff of office the following day (July 4) in an elaborate ceremony in the town by Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Olawale Mogbonjubola and attended by several dignitaries.
Prior his installation the community was without a traditional ruler for nine years sequel to the demise of Oba Samuel Olaniyi Ayoola.
In a telephone chat, one of the claimants, Oyebunmi enthused that justice has been served noting “this will restore confidence of the common man in administration of justice in the country.”
