Court urges Abiodun to reinstate sacked Obas

Agency Reporter

Ogun State government has been ordered to reverse its decision to sack 75 traditional rulers inaugurated by the administration of former governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The High Court sitting in Abeokuta on Tuesday, urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to maintain status quo until the determination of the suit against the government.

Justice A.A Akinyemi in his ruling on the interlocutory injunction filed by the 75 Obas through their counsel, Olumide Oniyire added that the appointment of the traditional rulers should be maintained.

Justice Akinyemi explained that the relationship that existed between the claimants and the defendants prior to the termination of their appointments and promotions on February 6, 2020 should not be alter pending determination of the suit before the court.

Amosun on May 13, 2019 confirmed the upgrading of some community chiefs to Obas. This was reversed by the incumbent administration.

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Counsel to the claimants, Oniyire accused the state government and its agents of allegedly intimidating the chiefs from parading themselves as monarchs.

Oniyire noted that hostility towards the demoted 75 Obas began after the revocation of the appointment by the state government on February 6.

Counsel to the Obas urged the court to grant the interlocutory injunction and pleaded that status quo should remain till the court determine the legalities of the appointment.

He said: “The claimants were sacked and despite the fact that the case is still in court, the defendant have been harrasing, intimidating and embarrassing the claimants at their various communities where they reign.

“Chieftaincy cases are very sensitive matter. We expected that the defendants should have waited until the determination of the case.

“We are applying for accelerated hearing of the case and we prayed that the status quo before the letter of revocation should remain and be maintained.”

The defence counsel, O.A Dankuwo urged the court to give them a date to file their processes.

Dankuwo argued that the status quo should be after the revocation of the appointment of the Obas.

She said the proper time to maintain status quo should be at the time of the revocation.