Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso has ordered that a new selection process for the Soun of Ogbomoso be started, upturning the appointment of Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
Oyo State Government installed Ghandi, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), as the Soun on September 8, 2023.
But Prince Kabir Olaoye, one of the contenders for the Soun stool, dragged Ghandi to court, saying he was not eligible for the position.
While ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Kabir, Justice K. A. Adedokun had restrained the governor, attorney general and the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters in Oyo State either by themselves, agents or officials from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of certificate of installation to Ghandi pending the hearing and final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.
Kabir told the court that the selection of Ghandi did not follow due process and the Ogbomoso chieftaincy declaration.
He, therefore, prayed the court to nullify the selection process and order the kingmakers to commence a fresh one.
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Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Adedokun nullified the selection and installation of Ghandi and ordered the kingmakers to commence a fresh selection process.
At the time the court gave the restraining order, Oyo kingmakers said they were unaware of it.
On September 3, Ghandi handed over his pastoral role at the RCCG, Jesus House Parish, Washington DC, United States.
A thanksgiving and transition service was held in his honour at the parish. He had been the pastor of the church since inception.
Joined by his wife, Pastor Omo Ghandi-Olaoye, Ghandi handed over to Pastor Olumide Ogunjuyigbe.
The stool of the Soun became vacant after the death of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade in December 2021 at age 95. The king reigned for 48 years.
