Court Restores Osun Monarch Dismissed by Governor Adeleke

The Osun High Court in Ile-Ife has reinstated Adegboyega Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo, following a previous nullification by the state government.

The court’s decision overturned an Executive Order and White Paper issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, which questioned Famodun’s appointment and mandated a new selection process.

This ruling comes after the Osun State Government published six White Papers in January 2024, addressing various chieftaincy issues, one of which annulled the earlier selection that had appointed Oba Philip Adegboyega Famodun III as the Owa.

Famodun was appointed by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in late 2022. However, after Governor Adeleke took office on November 27, 2022, he revoked this appointment and set up a committee to examine the selection process, leading to an Executive Order that canceled Famodun’s installation.

In response, Famodun challenged the revocation in court, maintaining that his appointment was valid and proper.

Justice A.O. Ayoola ruled that the Executive Order and White Paper were not legally binding enough to overturn a properly conducted chieftaincy process. This ruling confirms Famodun’s status as the legitimate Owa of Igbajo and nullifies the state’s actions against his appointment.