Monarchs Drag Osun Govt To Court Over Plot To Reverse Elevations

Two traditional rulers in Osun State have filed a fundamental rights suit against the state government over an alleged plan to reverse their elevations.

The monarchs – Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okeolooru Obalufon, Oba Adebisi Mukaila Michael, and Onirante of Irante, Oba Ogundele Olasunkanmi Mathew, in the suit filed before the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, accused some officials of Boluwaduro Local Government and the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of colluding to reverse their elevations to Part II recognised Obas.

Respondents in suits include the Oluresi of Iresi, Oba Sikiru Ibiloye, Owa of Otan Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Arenibiowo,
Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Boluwaduro Local Government.

Others are the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Osun Commissioner for Information.

Counsels to the monarchs led by Daud Akinloye, in the suit numbered FHC/OS/CS/169/2025, stated that the traditional rulers were elevated to part II Obas by Governor Ademola Adeleke during the State Executive Council meeting held on Friday, September 12, 2025.

According to court documents obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, the counsels noted that the monarchs, before their elevation, were community chiefs (Baale) under the Akinfin Traditional Council in the Boluwaduro local government of Osun State.

The counsels stated that the monarchs were issued appointment letters on the 15th day of September, 2025 and
subsequently, presented staff of office on the 16th day of September, 2025.

The court documents added that the monarchs’ elevation and appointment to Part Il Obas were subsequently gazetted on the Osun State of Nigeria Gazette on the 18th day
of September, 2025.

The court documents alleged that the Oluresi of Iresi Land and Owa of Otan Ayegbaju had conspired with some staff of the Chieftaincy Ministry to reverse the elevation of the monarchs.

READ ALSO

•Osun LG Funds: Court Extends Account Freezing Order Till Oct 9

•Ministry Of Chieftaincy Officials Planning To Reverse Our Elevation, Osun Monarchs Tell Adeleke

In the originating summons dated October 02, the counsels sought a declaration that the “attempt by officials of Boluwaduro Local Government and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to purportedly set aside the appointment and elevation of the traditional rulers is illegal, unlawful, intimidating, and unconstitutional.

The counsels also sought a “declaration that the elevation and appointment of traditional rulers to part II recognized chieftaincy by the Governor of Osun State are valid and regularly exercised under the Chiefs Law of Osun State and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).”

The monarchs urged the court to “restrain the respondents from tempering or doing anything illegal or unlawful as relates to their appointments and elevations

They also sought an “order compelling the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of N 20 000 000. 00 (Twenty Million Naira Only) to the applicants as damages for violation of their fundamental rights.”

A date has not been set to hear the suit.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.

Related posts:

Ministry Of Chieftaincy Officials Planning To Reverse Our Elevation, Osun Monarchs Tell Adeleke Tension Brews In Civil Service Over Plot To Reverse Ogunjimi’s Appointment As AGF Drama As Lawyer Asks Court To Reverse S’Court Ruling On Akwa Ibom Guber Aree Kingmakers Drag Osun Attorney General, LG Commissioner To Court Over Alleged Court Contempt