Worshippers Locked Out As Oyo Cleric Challenges Court Order Over Prolonged Imamship Tussle
The Ado-Awaye Central Mosque in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State has remained under lock and key, as the crisis over the leadership of the mosque deepens following a legal tussle between two clerics vying to succeed the late Imam, Sheikh Salaudeen Oniyo.
Four years after the demise of the revered Islamic scholar, the mosque has failed to resume its weekly Jum’ah prayers due to a lingering dispute between Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Adekunle and Alhaji Kolade Ibrahim, both of whom claim rightful succession to the position of the Chief Imam.
Following a protracted legal battle, the High Court sitting in Iseyin, presided over by Justice E.O. Ajayi, delivered a judgment on May 20, 2025, permitting both factions to continue prayers separately under their chosen leaders.
The ruling, however, fell short of declaring a substantive Imam, leaving the matter unresolved and the mosque sealed.
Dissatisfied with the court’s decision, the faction led by Alhaji Yusuf swiftly filed an appeal, seeking a reversal and affirmation of his group’s leadership claim.
Through their legal counsel, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), the group also notified the Oyo State Commissioner of Police of a pending application for an injunction to halt any action until the appeal is determined.
A notice seen by newsmen reads, “Kindly be informed that judgment was delivered in these suits on 20th May, 2025, in favour of the Applicant/Respondent. However, the Respondents/Applicants, dissatisfied with the said judgment, have appealed to the Court of Appeal and equally filed an application for injunction pending appeal before this Court.”
Residents of the community have expressed frustration over the prolonged dispute, which they say has robbed them of their right to congregational worship for nearly four years.
A Muslim resident, Wasiu Idowu, lamented the situation, saying, “It is unfortunate that the court now decides who becomes our Imam. This is a matter the Muslim community should have resolved internally, not in a courtroom.”
Jum’ah prayers were last held at the mosque on 30th September, 2021, with worshippers now forced to seek alternative places of worship across the town.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
