Contempt proceedings have been initiated against Ibrahim Adebowale Saliu and three Lagos State officials over alleged non-compliance with an order of the Lagos State High Court setting aside Saliu’s installation as the Onise of Ise and restraining him from continuing to hold himself out as the traditional ruler.
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The development followed the September 11, 2026 ruling of Justice Yetunde Adesola Adesanya in Suit No. LD/0022PRA/2026, in which the court directed the Lagos State Government to withdraw the appointment and recognition earlier granted to Saliu and nullified his installation and coronation conducted on August 21.
The court also restrained Saliu from parading himself or holding himself out as the Onise of Ise pending the hearing and determination of the substantive chieftaincy dispute.
Following the ruling, a Form 48 notice dated September 15, 2026, was issued against Saliu, warning him of the legal consequences of alleged disobedience of the court’s orders.
Similar notices were issued to the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Yekini Lanre Agbaje; and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa.
The contempt process was initiated by members of the Okuoye Ruling House, Igbekodo Quarters, Ise Town, through their counsel, The Legal Hub Partnership.
The notices warn that continued failure to comply with the subsisting orders could expose the affected persons to further contempt proceedings and other sanctions available to the court.
The September 11 ruling arose from a challenge to the process through which Saliu emerged as the Onise of Ise.
The claimants — Alhaji Adeniyi Atere, Idowu Adebisi Lana and Babatunde Ekundayo Lana — instituted the action for themselves and on behalf of the Okuoye Ruling House.
Justice Adesanya had found that an earlier interim order made on August 13 was breached when the disputed installation proceeded on August 21 despite the pendency of the matter.
Consequently, the court made mandatory orders directing the reversal of the installation and the withdrawal of the instruments of appointment and recognition issued to Saliu.
The court further restrained him from continuing to present himself as the Onise of Ise while the substantive suit remains pending.
Following the ruling, counsel to the claimants wrote to the Lagos State Government on September 15, formally drawing attention to the court’s orders and demanding compliance.
The law firm specifically urged the government not to recognise Saliu or accord him the official status, rights or privileges attached to the Onise stool unless and until the subsisting orders are varied or set aside by a competent court.
The contempt proceedings introduce a separate question of whether the court’s interim orders have been obeyed. The substantive dispute over the person legally entitled to occupy the Onise of Ise stool has not yet been finally determined.
Accordingly, the issuance of Form 48 does not by itself amount to a finding of contempt against Saliu or any of the state officials; it is a procedural step warning them of the consequences that may follow any established disobedience of the court’s orders.
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Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
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