**Akure High Court Affirms Ondo Government’s Authority to Recognise Traditional Rulers

An Akure High Court in Ondo State has ruled that the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, has no legal authority to withhold consent to the recognition or elevation of traditional rulers, affirming the power of the state government to determine chieftaincy matters in accordance with the law.

The court gave the ruling on Monday while dismissing a suit filed by the Deji challenging the recognition of Oba Oluwagbemiga Olofin-Adimula Arulewolasi III as the Iralepo of Isinkan.

In his judgment in Suit No. AK/434/2022, Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi held that the Ondo State Executive Council had the statutory authority to upgrade a minor chieftaincy to a recognised status without requiring the consent or concurrence of another monarch.

The judge rejected the Deji’s claim that his consent was required for the recognition of the Iralepo, stressing that no court could confer on an individual a power that was not provided for by law.

The Deji, through his counsel, S.O. Adedeko, had argued that he possessed consenting authority over the installation and recognition of traditional rulers within Akure South Local Government Area, including the Iralepo of Isinkan.

However, the Iralepo, represented by Chief Olusola Ebiseni, argued that neither the applicable chieftaincy declaration nor the law conferred such authority on the Deji.

The Ondo State Government, through its counsel, F.S. Akinnibosun, also maintained that the recognition of traditional rulers fell within the government’s statutory powers and could not be subjected to another monarch’s consent without legal backing.

Upholding the government’s position, Justice Olorundahunsi affirmed the decision of the State Executive Council to recognise the Iralepo of Isinkan and the Osolo of Isolo, relying on findings from the Justice Ajama Commission of Inquiry.

The court also upheld the Iralepo’s counterclaim, affirming his recognised chieftaincy status and territorial claim over Isinkan, with documentary evidence tracing the community’s boundaries from Imogun to the Aponmu/Owena Rivers.

Consequently, the court restrained the Deji, his chiefs, agents and anyone acting on his behalf from interfering in the affairs of the Iralepo or dealing with the disputed land in Isinkan.

Speaking after the judgment, Oba Olofin-Adimula described the ruling as a significant affirmation of Isinkan’s traditional identity, customary law and territorial rights.

He said the community had consistently sought recognition of its traditional institution and the right to exercise authority over its ancestral land.

The judgment marks a major development in the longstanding dispute between the Isinkan traditional institution and the Deji of Akure over the recognition of traditional rulers and the limits of the Deji’s authority in chieftaincy matters.