Aggrieved Prince Drags Adeleke To Court Over Aree’s Stool

One of the contestants for the throne of the Aree of Iree, Prince Ali Afolabi, has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke before an Osun State High Court for allegedly disregarding the law in the appointment of a new monarch for the town.

Joined in the suit are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, and the newly appointed Aree, Prince Muritala Oyelakin.

Afolabi who is from the Olubonku ruling house, said Adeleke did not follow due process in the appointment of Oyelakin as the new Aree.

In the suit filed before the State High Court sitting in Ikirun, Afolabi accused Adeleke of flouting the rule of law and jettisoning due process in the fresh selection.

The plaintiff prayed the court to nullify the entire selection process, maintaining that it was “a rape of the Constitution and complete fraud”.

Afolabi also prayed to 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.”

He also prayed for: “A declaration that the appointment of the 5th defendant (Oyelakin) as the Aree of Iree and consequent recognition by the 1st defendant (Adeleke) as recommended by 2nd and 4th (Iree Local Government Council) defendants as the Aree of Iree is unconscionable, inequitable, null and void.

“An order setting aside the selection/election process that produced the 5th defendant as the Aree of Iree for being conducted or participated in by non-Kingmakers in line with the native law and custom of Iree.

“Declaration that Olubonku ruling house is the only chieftaincy ruling house competent to present a candidate for the Aree chieftaincy being the only ruling house that is yet to rule since 1866 when Atanda Olubonku ruling house ruled between 1795 to 1866.

“An order of injunction restraining the 1st-4th defendants by themselves or proxies or by whatsoever/whatever name he/she or they are known from accepting the candidature of the 5th defendant or any candidate from any ruling house(s) of Aree Kingdom than the plaintiff ruling house.

“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant accepting or parading himself as the elected Aree of Iree King.”

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.

Afolabi further said: “The law stated that after selection of a monarch might have been done, the governor shall not approve or set aside that selection until after 21 days. Recall that the selection of Oyelakin was made on February 22, 2024, while Governor Ademola approved it by issuing an approval letter to Oyelakin on March 6, 2024.

“This action by the Governor makes the letter of approval illegal and a violation of the same law that Governor Adeleke swore to obey.

“If Governor Adeleke accused former Governor Oyetola of not following the rule of law and breaching process, the Governor has done worse by jettisoning the law, including the White Paper he issued. This is a gross injustice to the good people of Iree and it should not be allowed to stand.

“To ensure that this injustice and breach of the constitution do not stand, I have, through my lawyer, challenged the fresh selection in court.