Awujale selection suit stalled as case file returned for reassignment
Court Temporarily Reassigns Awujale Selection Suit Amid Urgency
Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State — Justice A.A. Omoniyi of the Ogun State High Court issued a temporary ruling Wednesday, redirecting a case filed by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House against Governor Dapo Abiodun and nine kingmakers concerning the halted selection process for the next Awujale. The case, originally assigned to Justice Omoniyi, has been referred back to the administrative judge for reassignment before the court is set to go on vacation next week.
Justice Omoniyi noted the urgency of the matter, officially recorded as HCJ/149/2026, filed on August 21, 2026. However, he indicated that his upcoming annual vacation, which may extend until January 2027, limited his ability to preside over the case further.
The judge has scheduled a hearing for September 23, 2026.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Olusegun Otayemi, confirmed that all 15 defendants had been properly served and expressed the family’s readiness to move forward with the case. Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, representing the kingmakers, along with state counsel W. A. Onawole, who appeared for the governor and other defendants, stated they were still within the allotted time to file their responses.
Key figures present included the kingmakers, led by Olorogun Sunny Kuku, and members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, including Chairman Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi and other officials.
Outside the courtroom, Otayemi explained that the legal action was necessary to address what the family sees as undue governmental interference in the succession process following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away last July at the age of 91 after a 65-year reign.
“We initiated this action because the selection process was abruptly stopped after it was already underway. The law does not allow for a deliberate halt, only for delays that can be excused,” Otayemi stated. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting, “Ijebu Ode cannot remain without a king for prolonged periods.”
Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi reiterated his concerns after the session, stating that while the family had been patient for seven months, they felt compelled to seek judicial intervention to ensure a timely appointment of the next Awujale. “We acted within the legal time frame, and despite our attempts to resolve this through direct communication with the governor, our efforts have not yielded results. We cannot wait indefinitely.”
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House’s legal action targets not only Governor Abiodun and the kingmakers but includes five other parties, such as the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu. The ruling house seeks to compel the completion of the Awujale selection process and clarify the legal authority of the state government in relation to the kingmakers and selection statutes.
The claimants question whether the state has the legal right to intervene in the nomination process, particularly concerning a January 20, 2026, incident where the kingmakers were allegedly prevented from convening at the Awujale Palace.
