The stool of Oore became vacant sequel to the demise of Oba Adedapo Popoola last October.
In suit number HAD/28/2020 filed at the High Court, Ado Ekiti Division by Chief Adeleke Atolagbe of the Obajeu ruling house, the family faulted the alleged unilateral appointment made by the state in breach of tradition, customs and principle of rotation.
Joined in the suit are Governor Fayemi, the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, attorney general and justice commissioner, secretary of Moba Local Government Area, the Obanla of Otun, Chief Adeniran Odeniyi and the Head of Iyaaba ruling house, Chief Ateere Folorunso.
In the affidavit of urgency attached to the motion on notice with registration number HAD/169m/20 and deposed to by Olakanmi Falade, the aggrieved family said the government erred in law by not abiding to tradition and allow the kingmakers make inputs in the selection of a king from the appropriate royal lineage.
The claimant contended that by virtue of the principle of rotation, Obajeu was the natural choice to be considered, urging the state government to reverse its action to prevent acting ultra vires of its powers as stipulated by the Ekiti state Chieftaincy law.
He therefore, sought an order of the court nullifying all the actions taken by the government in respect of the selection made from the Iyaaba ruling house.
The claimant further sought a mandatory order compelling the first, sexond and third defendants directing the fourth defendant to announce Obajeu as the ruling house to produce the next king.
He also asked the court to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from taking any further steps that can be sub -judicial until court rules on the matter.
Speaking, counsel to the claimant, Mr. Olakanmi Falade, explained that if truly it was government that directed that a new king be selected from the Iyaaba ruling House, such would be in contravention of the subsisting Ekiti state Chief Law.
“Government has no business in being a kingmaker when there are kingmakers in the town prescribed by law.
“Worst still is that the act of government supposedly directing Ile Iyaaba as the next ruling house to present a candidate for the Oore of Otun is based on a law that does not exist having been nullified by the then Ondo state High Court and affirmed by the Supreme Court .
“Government is obliged to respect the rule of law because a suit and motion on notice for injunction had already been filed and served on all parties for them to stay further action, and maintain the status quo in the interest of justice and peace,” he declared.
(Daily Times)