An Ondo State High Court sitting in Okitipupa has adjourned the hearing of the case of impersonation brought against Prince Ademola Olowoyibiri who was, last year, installed as the Olufon of Irele kingdom.
The presiding judge, Justice T.M Adedipe, declined after further hearing of the case due to the absence of Prince Olowoyibiri.
Prince Olowoyibiri was arraigned last year for illegally parading himself as a traditional ruler.
He was alleged to have unlawfully assumed the chieftaincy title of Olofun of Irele contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo state.
Oloworiyibi reportedly permitted himself to be installed as well as parading themselves in royal regalia without the approval of the Ondo State Executive Council and in contravention of section 15(1) and (2) of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State.
Six chiefs who were alleged to be responsible for Oloworiyibi’s ascension as Olofun of Irele were also docked.
They are Ebielemi Akintola, Orukotan Fadayomi, Akiyesi Owoloye, Adebayo Olowoboye, Olosusi Mesagan and Igbekele Olajide.
They were charged on two counts charge of conspiracy and illegal installation of a monarch without government approval.
At the resumed hearing of the case Thursday, the prosecuting counsel, H.M. Falowo urged the court to go on with the proceeding since all parties were present.
Counsel to the defendant, Adewale Mosadomi supported Falowo and urged the court to take their pleadings despite the absence of Olowoyibiri due to ill health.
Justice Adedipe said he could not take their pleadings due to the absence of the defendant.
He ordered Olowoyibiri to present his medical report as proof of ill health at the next hearing.
The Judge warned Olowoyibiri’s followers to maintain peace in their domain and adjourned the sitting to February 22nd, 2024.
Read Also: Ondo records 240,000 out-of-school children
Personal Assistant to Olowoyibiri Ode Adewale, had last year said the Irele customs do not require writing any letter to the government before picking a king.
He said: “We do not need to follow any process than to consult the oracle and anybody Ifa oracle picks, is who will be installed as the king. We have never done anything contrary to our customs.
“There are some petitions written to the government which have been causing problems. Three people who indicated interest wrote petitions to security agencies.
“We did not write any letter. We do it our way. The whole town will consult the Oracle, anybody picked will be crowned. We have done that. There was no obstruction to the process. We have done it and it is done.”