An Ondo State High Court sitting in Ikare-Akoko has stopped installation of a new Oludaja of Daja-Ajowa community in Akoko Northwest local government area.
It ordered all processes for selecting or installing a new monarch in the community be stopped
The court order came after some members of the community fixed May 13th, 2022 to install Chief Yahya Obaniyi as the new Oludaja.
Presiding judge, Justice O. Abe, directed the State Government, Chief Obaniyi and other parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of the case challenging the eligibility of Obaniyi to the throne of the Oludaja of Daja Ajowa-Akoko.
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Claimant in the suit, Ibowe Clan Of Oyagi Ruling House, Daja Ajowa-Akoko, had approached the court to stop the installation of Obaniyi.
The Claimant insisted that nobody in Yahya Obaniyi’s lineage has ever been appointed or installed as the Oludaja of Daja Ajowa and therefore a customary aberration for him to declare himself the Daja monarch or to be recognized as such by the State Government.
Defendants in the suit are; Chief Yahya Obaniyi, Akoko Northwest local government; the State Commissioner for local government & Chieftancy Affairs; the State Attorney General, the Ondo State Governor, (Oluwarotimi Akeredolu) and the Ondo State Executive Council.
Lawyer to the Oyagi Ruling House, Daja Ajowa-Akoko, Barr. Femi Emodamori, said the Ibowe Clan of Oyagi Ruling House in Daja Community had, in 2020, filed a case at the Ikare Akoko Judicial Division of the Ondo State High Court, seeking declarations to the effect that it was their turn to present the next Oludaja and that Chief Yahya Obaniyi is not a member of their Clan.
Barr. Emodamori stated that it would amount to contempt of court and consequent severe criminal sanctions if any attempt was made to perform or be part of installation ceremony.
“Our clients are equally seeking injunctions against Chief Obaniyi and the State Government in the said Suit, with number HIK/7/2020: High Chief (Prince) Muraina Obawumi Obadun & 4 Others V. Chief Yahya Obaniyi and 5 others.
“In spite of the pending court case, Chief Yahyah Obaniyi is claiming to have secured the approval of the State Executive Council and advertising the purported installation scheduled for 13th May, 2022. He has equally been advertising and selling customized traditional attires, popularly called “aso ebi”, for the planned installation.
“By necessary implication (of the court order) therefore, the coronation/installation (of Yahya Obaniyi) scheduled for 13th May, 2022 can no longer hold. Any attempt to perform or be part of such ceremony will amount to contempt of court and attract severe criminal sanctions.”
“The Arakunrin Akeredolu, SAN led government of Ondo State has never hesitated in professing its avowed commitment to the rule of law. We therefore believe that the government would never be tempted to treat the order of the court with disdain.”