Rules Deji Has No Legal Consenting Authority Over Appointment, Elevation of Obas Under Ondo Chiefs Law

An Ondo State High Court has dismissed a suit filed by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, against the Iresi of Osi Kingdom, Oba Olajide D. Okunato, for lacking in merit, ruling that the Deji has no legal consenting authority over the appointment or elevation of traditional rulers under the Ondo State Chiefs Law.

The court, presided over by Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi, also ordered the Deji of Akure to pay N5 million to Osi in Suit No. AK/435/2022.

The judgment reinforces the position that the consent of the Deji of Akure is not a legal requirement for the appointment, elevation or recognition of traditional rulers, as such authority is not provided for under the Ondo State Chiefs Law.

The ruling echoes the court’s decision in the chieftaincy dispute involving the Iralepo of Isinkan, which affirmed the power of the Ondo State Government to upgrade and recognise traditional chieftaincies without the consent of the Deji of Akure.

Reacting to the judgment, Oba Okunato described the decision as a long-awaited victory in Osi’s quest for autonomy, a struggle he said had spanned more than a century, with historical roots tracing back to Ise-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

In a statement titled “Case Closed! Victory at Last!!”, the monarch attributed the victory to God Almighty, the support of his ancestors and the people of Osi.

He said he never imagined that he would be the monarch to lead Osi to the fulfilment of its aspiration to become an autonomous town in Ondo State.

Oba Okunato explained that he became the first government-recognised king of Osi after several traditional rulers who had occupied the throne without official recognition.

The monarch, however, maintained that the legal battle had not affected his relationship with the Deji of Akure, whom he described as both a father and an in-law by virtue of their family ties.

He said the Deji’s decision to challenge the government’s elevation and recognition of his throne in court did not make the Akure monarch his enemy.

Oba Okunato expressed appreciation to former Ondo State governors Olusegun Mimiko and Rotimi Akeredolu, as well as the incumbent governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for their contributions to the history of Osi’s traditional institution.

He also acknowledged the support of traditional rulers, community leaders, prominent Nigerians, members of the Iresi-in-Council, his family, the sons and daughters of Osi, and his lawyer, Barrister Dele Ibitayo.

The monarch described the judgment as a defining moment in Osi’s history and a significant step towards consolidating the community’s traditional autonomy.