The succession dispute over the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland has moved to the Ogun State High Court, with the Fusengbuwa Ruling House seeking orders compelling the traditional kingmakers to resume and conclude the selection process.
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The action, marked Suit No. HCJ/149/2026, was filed before the High Court of Justice, Ijebu-Ode Judicial Division, and sworn to on August 21, 2026.
The claimants are Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi, Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, its Deputy Chairman; and Professor Chief Fassy Yusuf, Vice-Chairman. They instituted the action for themselves and on behalf of the ruling house.
Joined as defendants are Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN; the Ogun State Executive Council; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu; and the Secretary of the local government.
Also joined are the nine members of the Awujale Afobaje Kingmakers Council: Olorogun Sonny Kuku, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland; Chief Rasheed Adesanya; Chief Oluwaranti Lekan Osifeso; Chief Jimi Lawal; Chief Abimbola Okenla; Chief Kunle Ogunade; Chief Agboola Alausa; Chief Adebisi Adaran; and Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja.
The dispute arose following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, after reigning as the Awujale for approximately 65 years.
The claimants said Ijebu-Ode Local Government formally informed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House on December 2, 2025, that it was its turn to present candidates for the vacant stool under the rotational arrangement recognised by the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.
They referred to notices allegedly issued by the local government on December 2 and December 4, 2025, as well as a further letter dated January 6, 2026, as evidence that the statutory succession process had commenced.
According to the ruling house, it convened its nomination meeting on January 12, 2026, within the 14-day period prescribed by Section 16(1)(b) of the law.
The exercise reportedly produced 95 nominees comprising 94 princes and one princess. The complete nomination list was subsequently forwarded to the nine-member Awujale Afobaje Kingmakers Council on January 19, 2026, for the selection of a preferred candidate.
The claimants alleged that less than 24 hours after the list was submitted, police officers entered the Awujale Palace after midnight on January 20, locked the premises and prevented the kingmakers from meeting to complete the selection exercise.
They claimed that the police action was taken at the instance of the Ogun State Government.
The selection process was subsequently suspended, with the authorities reportedly citing security concerns and allegations of bribery and financial inducement.
The ruling house, however, maintained that no formal petition or credible evidence supporting the allegations was presented.
It further claimed that investigations by the police and the State Security Service did not establish any wrongdoing capable of justifying the suspension of the process.
The claimants are asking the court to determine whether the Ogun State Government or any of its officials possessed the power under the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, or any other written law, to direct or facilitate the alleged forcible entry into and closure of the Awujale Palace.
They also want the court to decide whether the law authorises the government to stop an Awujale nomination or selection process under any guise after the statutory exercise has commenced.
Another question submitted for determination is whether the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, having convened its meeting and completed the nomination exercise within the prescribed period, had fully discharged its responsibility under Section 16 of the law.
The claimants are also asking the court to determine whether the kingmakers became legally obligated to proceed with the selection of a candidate after receiving the nomination list on January 19.
They contended that Sections 16(1)(e) and (f) of the law require the kingmakers to select a candidate from the list and forward the name of the preferred candidate to the Ogun State Executive Council.
The ruling house further relied on Section 22 of the law in arguing that the State Executive Council would become obligated to act on the candidate presented by the kingmakers.
Among their principal reliefs, the claimants are seeking a declaration that their nomination exercise was validly completed and that they cannot be compelled to reopen, repeat or commence the process afresh.
They are also asking for a declaration that the alleged closure of the Awujale Palace and interruption of the succession exercise were unlawful, beyond the powers of the government and in breach of their right to fair hearing.
The ruling house wants the court to order the nine kingmakers to reconvene within seven days after the delivery of judgment, select a candidate from the 95 nominees and forward the person’s name to the appropriate authority.
It is further seeking an injunction restraining the state government, its officials and security agencies from interfering with or preventing the completion of the selection process.
Counsel to the claimants, led by Otunba Olusegun Otayemi, is also relying on previous judicial decisions concerning statutory responsibilities, administrative powers and the right to fair hearing.
The suit has yet to be heard, and no response from the defendants has been made public.
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