By Wasiu Owolewa
The Ekiti state High Court of Justice has deposed Prince Oluwafemi Olugbesoye as Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti.
The High court in its judgment dated 30th September, 2024 delivered in Ado-Ekiti by Hon. Justice J.B.K Aladejana gave an order of injunction restraining Prince Olugbesoye from parading himself as Oluloro for his failure and refusal to present himself for coronation rites by the Aoropare in line with the native law and custom of Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti.
The restraining order followed a suit filed by Prince Fadare Festus Olakunle, Mr Banjo Ayenakin and three other claimants against the defendant, Prince Olugbesoye, Chief Owoseni Ajai and three others.
The claimants in a writ of summons with suit No: HAD /61/2022 dated and filed on 14th of April 2022 has sought an order of the court restraining Prince Olugbesoye from parading himself as Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti on the ground of his refusal to follow all necessary coronation rites.
The claimants also sought a declaration that Ajero-Ekiti is not the prescribed authority over Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti Chieftaincy and has no legal right to install or coronate an Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti.
The 1st defendant on 6th of October 2023 filed an amended statement of defence and at paragraph 13 thereof urged the court to “dismiss claimant’s claim in its entirety with substantial cost for being frivolous, speculative, gold digging and vexatious”
The 2nd to 5th defendants on the 1st of July 2022 filed a joint statement of defence and at paragraph 19 therefore urged the court to “dismiss the claimant’s suit as same is frivolous, otiose, and baseless, gold digging and vexatious”.
The 1st defendant also filed a notice of preliminary objection on the 20th of July 2022 to contend that the Honourable Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain this action on the grounds that;
The claimant can only approach the court by way of judicial review or order of mandamus.
The Honourable Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain this matter.
But giving its final judgment the court through Justice Aladejana ruled in favour of the claimants and declared that, ”
The failure and refusal of the 1st defendant to present himself for coronation rites by the Aoropare in line with the Native Law and Custom of Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti is wrongful.
“I also Order the 2nd to 5th defendants to depose the 1st defendant as the Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti in line with the customary law of Iloro Ekiti
” I make an Order of Injunction restraining the 1st defendant from parading himself as the Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti. Finally I make an order of Injunction restraining the 2nd to 5th defendants from dealing with or recognizing the 1st defendant as the Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti.
There shall be no order as to cost”