Osun State Governor, senator Ademola Adeleke has been dragged before an Ikirun High Court for allegedly disregarding constitution in the appointment of the new Aree of Iree, Prince Mukaila Oyelakin.
One of the contestants to the Aree throne from Olubonku Ruling House in Iree town, Prince Ali Afolabi, filed the suit and accused Governor Adeleke of flouting the rule of law and jettisoning due process in the fresh selection.
He, therefore, asked the court to nullify the entire selection process, saying it was a rape of the Constitution and complete fraud.
Also joined in the suit are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state and Prince Oyelakin.
In the suit, the plaintiff Prince Ali Afolabi prayed the court for a declaration that by Native law and Custom of Iree Kingdom And Aree Chieftaincy, a person can only be validly selected to Aree Chieftaincy by an election/selection by the Kingmakers in Iree Kingdom and no one else.
It would be recalled that the stool of Aree was vacant after Governor Adeleke sacked a traditional ruler appointed in Iree by his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, and accused the former governor of flouting due process and rushing to install monarchs after losing the 2022 governorship election in the state.
However, after about 14 months, Governor Adeleke issued a White Paper and ordered a fresh selection with a condition that the kingmakers and other aggrieved parties who had earlier dragged the state government to court over the appointment of one Ademola Ponle should withdraw their matters in court before the fresh selection process.
But, while the pending matter was yet to be withdrawn as directed, owing to the strike embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Osun State branch, the state government proceeded with the fresh selection in contravention of the White Paper.
After the controversial fresh selection process on February 22, 2024, the kingmakers, it was gathered, proceeded to an Osun State High Court sitting in Ikirun on Monday, March 11, with an application of withdrawal of the pending matter sequel to the decision of JUSUN to call-off its over three months strike.
Also, Afolabi argued that Governor Adeleke contravened Section 20, sub section (2) of the Chief’s Law (cap.25) Laws of Osun State, 2002 by approving the selection of Oyelakin before the statutory 21 days.
