Controversies, litigation halt appointment of new Soun 

There are indications that Ogbomoso, the second largest city in Oyo State, South West Nigeria may not have a new king soon.

This is owing to fresh controversies trailing the appointment of a new monarch.

Ogbomoso, a city situated at the northern part of the present Oyo State was founded by Oba Olabanjo Ogundiran Ogunlola, a warrior who conquered Elemosho, an invader and a terror who troubled some parts of the old Oyo empire for many years.

Based on available historical facts and evidence, Soun Ogunlola was the first Soun of Ogbomoso.

Ogunlola reigned between 1659 and 1714.

He was succeeded by Oba Erinsaba Alamu Jogioro 1741–1770.

Other monarchs who reigned in Ogbomoso based on the available historical facts are Oba Ikumoyeje Ajo 1770–1797, Oba Toyeje Akanni (Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland) 1797–1825, Oba Oluwusi Aremu 1826–1840, Oba Jaiyeola Are Arolofin Alao 1840–1842, Oba Idowu Bolanta Adigun 1842–1845, Oba Ogunlabi Odunlaro 1845–1860, Oba Ojo Aburumaku Adio (Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland) 1860–1869, Oba Gbagungboye Ajamasa Ajagungbade 1 1869–1871 and Oba Laoye Atanda Orumogege 1871–1901.

The rest are Oba Majengbasan Elepo 1 1901–1907, Oba Adegoke Atanda Layode 1 1908–1914, Oba Itabiyi Olanrewaju Ande 1914–1916, Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade 11 1916–2/18/1940, Oba Lawani Oke ‘Lanipekun 1944–3/19/1952, Oba Olatunji Alao Elepo 11 1952–1966, Oba Olajide Olayode 11 1966–7/1/1969, Oba Salami Ajiboye Itabiyi 6/4/1972–6/2/1973 and Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111 1973-2021.

The traditional council in Ogbomoso also known as (The Ilus- Awon Ilu) is made up of 7 chiefs, among whom are six males and a female. They are headed by the Areago. The traditional council consists of Areago, Jagun, Bara, Ikolaba, Abese, Balogun and Iyalode.

Other chieftaincy titles in Ogbomoso are the Baale of Ijeru, Baale of Isapa, Baale of Masifa, Baale of Pakiotan, Baale of Okelerin, Baale of Osupa and Aare Alasa.

According to reports, the town has no king at the moment.

The throne of the king of the city christened Soun of Ogbomoso became vacant as a result of the transition of the Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111 who joined his ancestors on Sunday, 12th December, 2021.

The monarch, who reigned for 48 years, joined his ancestors at the age of 95.

Born on May 27th, 1926, in Ogbomoso, he ascended the throne of his forefathers on October 24, 1973.

Even though the kingmakers said that they had concluded their work on the appointment of new Soun, the town had remained without a king.

Our correspondent gathered that the kingmakers have screened the princes who indicated interest to ascend the throne and have since picked a nominee to ascend the throne.

Twenty five indigenes from various families indicated interest in the throne.

The name of the Soun nominee, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, was submitted to the Oyo State government in March this year.

The kingmakers concluded their work on March 22, and dispatched the name of the nominee to Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, through Ogbomoso North Local Government.

But the selection and appointment of the new monarch has suffered another setback.

This was sequel to a court action by one of the contenders to the throne, Prince Kabir Muhammed Olaoye.

Olaoye challenged the process of appointment of the new monarch in suit number HOG/27/2022.

The case was instituted at an Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso division.

The plaintiff is challenging the processes for the emergence of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye.

He sought an injunction against the approval of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye by the Oyo State government and a repeat of the selection process.

The 1st to 6th defendants in the case are the Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde; Oyo State Attorney General; Oyo State commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters; Ogbomoso North Local Government; Ogbomoso North Traditional Council and the Mogaji of Olaoye family, Prince Amos Olawole Olaoye.

The 7th, 6th, 9th, 10th and 11th defendants are members of the kingmakers, among whom are Chief S. O. Otolorin (Areago of Ogbomosoland/chairman, kingmakers of Soun Chieftaincy Ogbomoso); Chief Salawu Ajadi (Jagun); Chief Tijani Abioye (Baara); Chief David Adeniran Ojo (Ikolaba); Chief Yusuf Kasali Oladipupo (Abese) while Prince Afolabi Ghandi Oladunni Olaoye (Soun nominee) is the 12th defendant.

After hearing the pleas of the counsels, the judge, Hon Justice Kareem Adedokun, granted an oral application by the counsel to Prince Kabir Olaoye, Barrister Dapo Atanda, that “parties should maintain status quo without waiting for the order of the court.”

Atanda in his oral application argued that the 12 defendants refused to file a memorandum of appearance and their statement of defence as required by law which is 30 days, noting that it was over three months ago they had been served the process.

“In those three months, they were sleeping and snoring on the matter, refusing to join issue with us,” said, praying the court for injunction against the approval of the nominee by the State government.

He then requested for an undertaking by the counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, Mrs. Funmi Adebayo, to stay action in the process, which was, however, declined.

Adebayo, on the contrary, prayed for an accelerated hearing on the matter.

Counsel to 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th defendants, Kola Fatoye, whom Peter Idowu held brief for, did not oppose the oral application.

Justice Adedokun, though refused the order of injunction, granted the application for status quo.

“The applications of the learned counsel to the claimant are hereby granted as prayed.”

Adedokun added that “All the parties in this suit are to maintain the status quo (i.e. the position they were in as of the date this suit was instituted).

“Also accelerated hearing of this matter is hereby ordered.”

The case has been adjourned till November 10, 2022, after the judge might have returned from leave.