Aree Stool: Kingmakers Want Court To Jail Oyetola’s Commissioners

Yusuf Oketola

Kingmakers in Iree, Boripe North Local Government of the State of Osun, have prayed a State High Court, sitting in Ikirun, to commit the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the State, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke to prison, for allegedly violating the court order.

The kingmakers’ prayer was contained in a suit filed before the court against Adeleke and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwafemi Akande, for allegedly disobeying court order on the Aree stool.

Also joined as defendants in the suit filed before Justice Isiaka Adeleke of the court are the Chairman, Boripe North Local Council Development Area and the just appointed Aree of Iree, Prince Ponle Ademola.

The plaintiffs, High Chief Saliu Atoyebi, Aogun of Iree, for himself and other chiefs, members of Iree and Aree in Council, in the suit marked HIK/41/22 and dated November 11, 2022, asked the court to commit the defendants to prison for disregarding the court’s order issued on November 8, 2022 to stay action on the appointment and installation of Aree.

According to the plaintiffs’ counsel, Folorunso Apantaku, the defendants risk six months jail term if they are found guilty of the allegation.

A copy of the application notice titled: “Notice to Show Cause Why an Order of Committal to Detention Should not be Made Against You”, addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, was made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.

The notice reads partly: “Take note that the plaintiff/applicant shall apply for an order committing you, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Osun State, to detention at the Nigerian Correctional Service Custodial Facility, having disobeyed the ruling/order of this honourable court made on 8th day of November, 2022, mandating all the respondents not to take any further step or steps in respect of the filling of the vacant stool of Aree of Iree Land pending the determination of the Motion on Notice in the case.”

It was gathered that parties are due for response and no date has been fixed for hearing of the notice.