Okeolooru/Irante: Court Orders Osun Govt To Stay Action
The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has ordered status quo to remain in the alleged plans to demote Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okeolooru Obalufon, Oba Adebisi Mukaila Michael and Onirante of Irante of Boluwaduro Local Government in Osun state.
The two traditional rulers had filed a fundamental rights suit against the state government over an alleged plan to reverse their elevations.
The monarchs 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 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.”
Sitting on the suit on the 16th of October, 2025, Hon. Justice Adefunmilola A Demi-Ajayi, though did not grant the motion ex-parte, however ordered that “all parties shall maintain Status Quo pending the hearing of the substantive suit in the originating summon”.
The order, with all the processes filed in the matter, it was learnt, have been served on the parties involved and received accordingly.
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.
