Court sets-aside the installation of Onipokia of Ipokia, says Ogun gov abuses power
An Ogun State High Court sitting at Isabo in Abeokuta presided over by Justice Gboyega Ogunfowora has nullified the installation of Chief Yisa Olaniyan as Onipokia of Ipokia of Ipokia local government area of the state.
Justice Gboyega Ogunfowora who delivered the ruling on the Suit No. AB/253/2019 between Prince Ade Asade and 3 Others vs Governor of Ogun State said the purported installation of Olaniyan as Onipokia by the Ogun State Government was an act of executive recklessness by Governor Dapo Abiodun administration.
Justice Ogunfowora said the ‘illegal’ installation was done in reckless violation of judicial proceedings at a time the motion on notice for an Order of Injunction restraining the Ogun state government from installing Yisa Olaniyan as Onipokia of Ipokia pending the outcome of the matter in court.
Nigeria Standard recalled that, Prince Ade Asade on behalf of the Iwaye Dodo ruling house had approached the court to challenge the alleged imposition of Chief Yisa Olaniyan as Onipokia of Ipokia by the Ogun State Government.
Prince Olaniyan, an American returnee was selected by the five kingmakers of Ipokia land in 2019 to fill the vacant stool of Onipokia despite the state government directive under Senator Ibikunle Amosun to withheld the selection process of a new monarch for the ancient town until further notice.
The Asade/Adekanbi royal family in Ipokia, Ipokia local government area of Ogun, had also in August 2019, written Governor Dapo Abiodun, over the vacant stool of Onipokia of Ipokia demanding thorough investigation and adherence to rule of law in handling the chieftaincy issue.
The family, in a letter addressed to the governor and signed by its solicitor, Prof. Yemi Oke, informed the governor that a matter in respect of the vacant stool is pending before a competent court of jurisdiction in a case number AB/253/2019.
The family further informed the governor that the suit was filed because of flagrant failure to comply with directives of the Government of Ogun state issued through the supervising ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs in respect of the matter.
But in his ruling in respect of the Motion filed by the Claimant to set aside the installation of Yisa Olaniyan as Onipokia of Ipokia by the Ogun state government, Justice Ogunfowora upheld the submissions of the lead counsel to the claimant, Prof. Yemi Oke.
Justice Ogunfowora said the purported installation of the 11th defendant as Onipokia of Ipokia has been set aside.
The judge noted that the installation of Olaniyan was a pre-emptive act to arrest the likely outcome of the Motion for Injunction.
“The installation of the 11th Defendant was a pre-emptive act to arrest the likely outcome of the Motion for Injunction.
“The installation of the 11th defendant as Onipokia of Ipokia is hereby sets-aside.”
The court however, adjourned to the 18th May, 2022 for the hearing of the pending Motion for an Order of Injunction.
