The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has dragged Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and members of the Awujale Afobaje/Kingmakers Council before the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode over the stalled process for selecting the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The suit, dated August 21, 2026, was filed by the Chairman of the ruling house, Abdulateef Owoyemi; Deputy Chairman, Adedokun Ajidagba; and Vice Chairman, Prof Fassy Yusuf.
Also joined as defendants are the Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN); the Ogun State Executive Council; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu; and the Secretary of the local government.
Members of the Awujale Afobaje/Kingmakers Council, including Sonny Kuku, Rasheed Adesanya, Oluwaranti Osifeso, Jimi Lawal, Abimbola Okenla, Kunle Ogunade, Agboola Alausa, Adebisi Adaran and Ayotunde Odulaja, are also defendants.
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The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether the state government had the legal authority to order or facilitate the alleged entry into and locking of the Awujale Palace on January 20, 2026, which they said prevented the kingmakers from meeting to conclude the statutory selection process.
They are also seeking a determination on whether the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law 2021 permits the government to halt the nomination or selection process for the Awujale under any guise.
The suit followed the death of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, after 65 years on the throne.
According to the claimants, Ijebu-Ode Local Government notified the Fusengbuwa Ruling House on December 2, 2025, that it was its turn to produce a candidate in line with the rotational arrangement provided under the state’s chieftaincy law.
The ruling house subsequently held its nomination meeting on January 12, 2026, which the plaintiffs said was within the 14-day period prescribed by law.
They claimed that 95 princes and princesses were nominated, with the complete list submitted to the nine-member Awujale Afobaje Kingmakers Council on January 19 for the next stage of the process.
However, the plaintiffs alleged that less than 24 hours after the submission, police officers stormed the Awujale Palace after midnight on January 20 and prevented the kingmakers from meeting to select a candidate from the nominees.
The local government subsequently cited security concerns and allegations of bribery and financial inducement as reasons for the suspension of the process by the state government.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, however, contended that no evidence or formal petition supporting the allegations was presented. It further claimed that investigations by the police and the Department of State Services did not establish any wrongdoing.
The claimants are asking the court to declare that their nomination process was validly completed and that the kingmakers are legally required under Sections 16(1)(e) and (f) of the Obas and Chiefs Law to select a candidate from the submitted list and forward the name to the Ogun State Executive Council.
They are also seeking a declaration that the Executive Council is required under Section 22 of the law to act on the kingmakers’ selection.
Among other reliefs, the ruling house wants the court to order the kingmakers to reconvene within seven days of judgment and complete the selection process.
It is also seeking an injunction restraining the Ogun State Government and security agencies from further interfering with the selection process.
The plaintiffs further want the court to declare the alleged lockout of the Awujale Palace unlawful, ultra vires the Obas and Chiefs Law 2021, and a breach of their right to fair hearing.
Counsel for the claimants, led by Olusegun Otayemi, argued in the originating summons that the state’s chieftaincy law provides a sequential process of nomination, selection and approval, which must be followed once initiated.
The suit therefore places the disputed process for selecting the successor to the late Awujale before the court, with the plaintiffs seeking judicial orders to compel the parties involved to resume and conclude the process in accordance with the law.
