Appeal Court reserves judgment on Obaship tussle in Ondo community

The Alale stool became vacant following the death of late Oba Adekanye Omosowon who joined his ancestors in December, 2003. For many years, Princess Toyin Omosowon served as the regent for the community. However, efforts to install the new Alale had resorted into legal battle two royal families of Agure Mokun and Ajimoh lineage of Ole Ruling House. After the adoption of written addresses by Counsel to Agure Mokun family, Gani Ashiru and lawyer to Ajimoh Family, from Oba Adegbite Adedoyin’s chamber, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Danjuma said date for the Appeal Court’s judgment would be communicated to the parties in the suit. It would be recalled that Justice B.F Adeyeye of Ondo State High Court sitting in Ikare-Akoko had on December 20,2013 upheld kingmakers’ selection of Prince Oseni Isiaka Adu as the Alale-Elect from Agure Mokun branch of the Ole Ruling House. Not satisfied with the judgment, Ajimoh branch of Ole Ruling House approached the appellate court to upturned the verdict claiming that Agure Mokun family was not entitled to the stool. While awaiting the verdict of the appellate court, at the twilight of the former governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration early this year, Prince Sunday Ajimoh was installed as the new Alale of Akungba Akoko who was never a party to the legal battle. The Ondo State government had recently suspended the coronation of the new Alale, Oba Sunday Isaac Ajimoh indefinitely. In a letter to the monarch, the state government noted that the coronation slated for Saturday July, 29,would lead to breach of the prevailing peace in the town that play host to the state owned-Adekunle Ajasin University(AAU). In the letter dated July, 19 and signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,Adeyemi Adeyemo, the government directed all security agencies to enforce the suspension of the coronation appropriately.]]>