Apetumodu Tussle: Maintain Status Quo, Court Orders

By Sola Jacobs

An Osun State High Court has declared that the status quo order on the interlocutory injunction against the installation of Prince Gbenga Joseph Oloyede as the new Apetumodu remains sacrosanct.

The plaintiff in the matter had sought the decision of the court to issued an interlocutory injunction against installation of the purported monarch by the state government and other relevant authorities.

Ruling on the matter last Monday, Justice Kudirat Akano gave a preservative order that the status quo be maintained, that is, no selection or installation be made until the case before the court is concluded.

Earlier, the court had ruled on the matter brought by one Prince Taiwo Ayoola alleging the kingmaker’s nomination as flagrant disobedience to paragraph III (c) of the 1958 declaration and court of Appeal judgement of 1988.

Furthermore, it ruled that service of the ruling should be posted on the residence of other respondents in the matter and by that means put them on notice.

The plaintiff, in the matter Prince Taiwo Ayoola in a motion filed through his lawyer S.O. Abiona sought the order of court to restrain government from approving the appointment of Prince Gbenga Oloyede as the new Apetumodu.

According to the motion, the purported selection and appointment of Prince Oloyede by the High Chief Afolabi, the Asalu of Ipetumodu and Chief Kehinde Orosanya, the traditional warrant Chief was draconian.

He described such action as irrational and violation of native law and custom as regards the selection and appointment of Apetumodu as contained in the declaration and duly adjudged in the 1958 judgement.

It will be recalled that the plaintiff is from Elewa branch of the Aribile ruling house, and the respondent was said to have hailed from Fagbemokun ruling house of the town.

The matter was adjourned till September 4, 2018 for hearing on the substantial suit.