The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, has declared the appointment of the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, as illegal.
Nullifying the appointment of Olaoye, who was installed by kingmakers on September 8, after his appointment was announced by the Oyo State government, Justice A.K. Adedokun ordered a fresh selection process.
The decision followed a suit marked HOG/27/2022, filed by another contestant for the throne, Prince Kabir Olaoye, who faulted Olaoye’s emergence.
The petitioner had contended that the process that led to his emergence was defective and that he was not eligible for the position.
The government had defied a court order not to fill the vacant position of Soun, until judgment is delivered on the matter.
Ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Kabir, Adedokun had restrained the Governor Seyi Makinde, Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State either by themselves, agents or officials from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of certificate of installation to Olaoye, pending the hearing and final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.
The judge had earlier dismissed three petitions brought before him by another contender, Prince Adeyemi Taofiq Akorede Laoye.
The throne became vacant following the death of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi on December 12, 2021, at the age of 95. He had ruled for 48 years.
