Judge blocks Adeleke and others from interfering in Ikirun's Akirun throne dispute

The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo state, has issued a directive to all parties involved in the Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy dispute to refrain from taking any further action until the pending appeal is resolved.

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This order was made in response to a Motion on Notice submitted by Oba Yinusa Akadiri, the Akinrun of Ikirun, through his counsel, N.O. Oke SAN, who brought to the court's attention a letter from Chief Kareem Adetoyese, the Eesa and Chairman of the Kingmakers.

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Oba Akadiri's counsel drew attention to the fact that Chief Adetoyese's letter was allegedly acting on the directives of Governor Adeleke, instructing the Gboleru Ruling House to present candidates for the stool, despite an existing Osun State Government White Paper directing that all issues on the Akirun chieftaincy crisis be put on hold.

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Furthermore, Oba Akadiri's counsel informed the court that, contrary to the directive, the Eesa had written to the Gboleru Ruling House to initiate the selection process, as instructed by Governor Adeleke, prompting the counsel to urge the court to order all parties to maintain the status quo.

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Counsel for the various parties in 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, concurred that no action should be taken pending the determination of the appeal.

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Chief Sola Ebiseni, counsel to the kingmakers, also supported the motion and the need to maintain the status quo, citing the interest of justice and peace in the community, and informed the court that the appeal was originally set for hearing but was adjourned due to an application for substitution of deceased clients.

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In its ruling, the Presiding Judge, Justice S.O Nwaka Gbagi, noted that despite the government White Paper advising all parties to halt the processing of nominations for the Akirun of Ikirun, counsel to the 15th respondent informed the court that the 4th respondent had been calling for nominations, a fact confirmed by counsel to the appellant and other respondents.

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The counsel to the 4th respondent denied knowledge of the action, prompting Justice Gbagi to express disappointment that the 4th Respondent had disregarded the government's directive in a matter pending before the court.

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Justice Gbagi ruled that "It is hereby ordered that parties maintain status quo and avoid breakdown of peace and order, emphasizing the need for all parties to refrain from taking any further action until the pending appeal is resolved.