The lingering chieftaincy tussle over the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State took a dramatic turn on Monday July 14, 2025, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure admitted fresh evidence but declined an application seeking to restrain the selection of a new monarch.
At the resumed hearing, lead counsel to the Appellants, Chief Olalekan Ojo, SAN, sought three major prayers: leave to amend the notice of appeal, permission to tender fresh evidence — a registered chieftaincy declaration — and an injunction to halt ongoing processes to select a new Olu-Oke, including a request to vacate any related actions.
The proceedings were punctuated by procedural delays, as Mrs Adeola Yusuf, representing the Ondo State Attorney General for the first time in the matter, informed the court that she was only just being served the necessary court documents in the courtroom and had not been adequately briefed.
Chief Sola Ebiseni, counsel to the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House, expressed readiness for the hearing and criticized the appellants’ fresh evidence as legally inadmissible and a calculated ploy to delay justice.
He reminded the court that the High Court had previously nullified the appointment of Chief Babajide Lawrence Oluwole as Olu-Oke, declaring it illegal, and had directed the state government to invite the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House to present a new candidate.
Ebiseni also pointed out that the deposed monarch, who was the appellant, died on April 30, 2025, at the age of 94, rendering the quest for an injunction meaningless.
He described the injunction request as “an act of indolence” and a “vain attempt to preserve the crown for a dead man.”
The Appeal Court panel, comprising Justices Omoleye, Shagari, and Obiorah, noted the case’s public interest and observed that despite repeated opportunities, hearing delays persisted.
The court dismissed applications from individuals seeking to be joined in the appeal due to improper service and absence of representation for the Local Government — the target of the injunction.
While granting leave to amend the notice of appeal and instructing the Appellant’s counsel to incorporate arguments on the new evidence, the court refused to hear the motion for an injunction, placing it “in abeyance.”
Both counsels were warned to advise their clients against any actions that could breach public peace.
The matter was adjourned for definite hearing on October 20, 2025, after the court’s vacation.
Speaking after the court session, Prince Rufus Adekanye, Head of the Kugbaigbe Ruling House, expressed optimism. “Oke-Igbo has crossed the Rubicon into a glorious era beneficial to all our people.
As the reigning Ruling House, we are committed to carrying everyone along for peace and development.”
It will be recalled that by Suit N0 H0D/80/2018 filed at the High Court of Ondo State, Ondo Division on the 13th July 2018, the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House under the leadership of Prince Rufus Adekanye challenged the appointment of Chief Babajide Lawrence Oluwole as the Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo in the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government of Ondo State.
The Ruling House sought declaration that Chief Babajide Lawrence Oluwole is not a member of Kugbaigbe Ruling House which turn it is to produce candidate to fill the vacant stool and that the appointment be declared illegal and set aside.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Ademola Enikuomehin on the 13th April 2023 the court found in favour of the Claimants and set aside the appointment.
The court agreed that by the customary law of the Chieftaincy contained in Part Two of the White Paper on the report of Justice Adeloye Commission of Inquiry, the chieftaincy has 5 Ruling Houses which are Odo Eleyowo, Are Kugbaigbe, Kuole Oloje, Derin Ologbenla and Ajibike Adedimeji and only their descendants are eligible to be made the Oluoke of Okeigbo.
Babajide Lawrence Oluwole who had been on the throne for 5 years filed Notice of Appeal on 17th April 2023 but died shortly afterwards on the 30th April 2025. His daughter Olusola Olufunke Babajide was appointed Regent and substituted for her deceased father as Appellant.
Other Appellants were the Warrant Chiefs who were appointed to carry out the adhoc appointment of Babajide Lawrence Oluwole which appointment was set aside as illegal.
The Are Kugbaigbe and other Ruling Houses and a large section of the community are worried that these Warrant Chiefs have taken over the Olu-Oke palace while the Regent is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the reason the Appeal is being delayed by them.
The community is also concerned that several other persons who have no stakes in the chieftaincy are being mobilised by the Warrant Chiefs to join the Appeal and also file new suits at the High Court to frustrate the hearing of the Appeal.
