Appeal court sacks Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti, monarch heads to Supreme Court
Tension in Iloro-Ekiti After Court of Appeal Orders Monarch’s Removal
ILORO-EKITI, Nigeria — Tensions have risen in Iloro-Ekiti following a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, which ordered the removal of Oba James Oluwafemi Olugbesoye, the Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti. The judgment was delivered virtually on August 31, 2026, and it upheld a prior decision from the Ekiti State High Court.
Falade Olasunkanmi, the attorney for the plaintiff, confirmed that a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment is expected to be released later today.
“The court affirmed the High Court judgment in its entirety, resulting in his deposition,” Olasunkanmi stated, describing the atmosphere in the town as jubilant. “The people are happy. That is the will of the people.”
According to Olasunkanmi, the appellate court did not dispute the validity of Oba Olugbesoye’s selection and appointment, rather it highlighted his failure to perform the required traditional rites as per local customs. “The State Government’s cross-appeal argued that he had been appointed correctly,” Olasunkanmi explained, adding that the court confirmed he was indeed well appointed but failed to fulfill necessary traditional ceremonies.
Defense attorney Ezekiel Agunbiade, representing Oba Olugbesoye, criticized the ruling, asserting that his legal team has not yet received the CTC of the judgment. “We must be cautious in our comments as we await the official ruling. What we understood from the court’s conclusion was that while Oba Olugbesoye was properly selected and appointed, there wasn’t enough evidence to demonstrate that he completed the required rites,” he stated.
Agunbiade also challenged the court’s findings regarding the lack of pictorial evidence of the rites, asserting that a significant amount of photographic evidence was presented at trial. He confirmed that the monarch has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court and has also requested a stay of execution of the ruling. “We lodged a notice of appeal and a stay of execution the day after the judgment,” he noted.
In his reaction to the ruling, Oba Olugbesoye expressed surprise, claiming that the plaintiffs lacked standing in the case. “I am shocked, as are my lawyers and others in government. Those who sued me should not have been able to file a case, as they are not kingmakers or legitimate candidates,” he asserted.
He stated that all traditional requirements were met during his coronation, which he claimed was well-documented and attended by numerous dignitaries. “I was coronated in Iloro-Ekiti, and I have evidence supporting my claims, including pictures taken during the ceremony,” Olugbesoye explained.
He described the intertwined traditions of Iloro-Ekiti and neighboring Ijero-Ekiti, asserting that both customs were essential to his rites. “Historically, the first Oluloro also performed some traditional rites in Ijero-Ekiti,” he said.
Additionally, the monarch mentioned that the individual presented by the opposing party as a candidate is deceased and scheduled for burial today.
