A vacation judge of the Ogun State High Court, Justice A. A. Omoniyi, sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Wednesday issued an interim ruling returning the suit filed by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House against Governor Dapo Abiodun, nine kingmakers, and others to the administrative judge for reassignment.
Justice Omoniyi explained that he would begin his annual vacation within a week and might not resume until January 2027, making it impossible to continue hearing the matter. He noted the urgency of the case, filed on August 21, 2026, but said time constraints required that the file be reallocated.
The suit, numbered HCJ/149/2026, challenges the stoppage of the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July 2025 after a 65-year reign.
Counsel to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Olusegun Otayemi, confirmed that all 15 defendants had been served and the family was ready to proceed. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Kalejaiye appeared for the kingmakers, while state counsel W. A. Onawole represented Governor Abiodun and other government officials.
Speaking after the sitting, Otayemi said the family approached the court to challenge what it described as “deliberate government interference” in the succession process. He stressed the urgency of resolving the matter, noting that “Ijebu-Ode cannot remain kingless for so long.”
Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, also expressed frustration, saying the family had waited seven months despite completing its nomination process within the legal timeframe. He accused the government of halting the process based on petitions and security reports that were never shared with the family.
The case was adjourned to September 23, 2026, for further hearing after reassignment.
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