Adeleke loses as court reinstates Oba Famodun as Owa of Igbajo

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke

An Osun High Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Thursday reinstated Oba Adegboyega Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo, nullifying the state government’s revocation of his appointment.

Justice A.O. Ayoola overturned the white paper and executive order issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, which had sought to annul Oba Famodun’s installation and initiate a fresh selection process for the chieftaincy title.

The Osun State Government released six white papers in January 2024, based on findings from an investigation into various chieftaincy matters in the state. Among them was a directive nullifying the selection process that led to Oba Famodun’s emergence as the Owa of Igbajo.

Oba Famodun was installed as Owa of Igbajo by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola towards the end of the latter’s administration in 2022. However, upon assuming office on November 27, 2022, Governor Adeleke revoked the appointment and established a review committee.

The committee’s findings prompted the issuance of an executive order calling for a fresh selection process, a decision Oba Famodun contested in court.

In her judgment, Justice Ayoola ruled that the white paper and executive order lacked legal authority to overturn a validly conducted chieftaincy process.

According to the judge, “the executive order and white paper have no legal standing to annul the appointment of a king whose selection followed due process.