Akirun stool: Judge returns case file to CJ for reassignment

Justice A. Onibokun of an Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment, a case instituted by Gboleru Ruling House in Ikirun against Osun state government.

This followed an application that the matter should be reassigned to another judge, by Mr Muhydeen Adeoye, a counsel to one of the respondents, Chief Rasidi Diekola, who is the Odofin of Ikirun.

The plaintiff had approached the court and got interim injunction, restraining Osun state government from accepting nomination for Akinrun stool from Obaara and Adedeji Ruling Houses pending the determination of the substantive suit.

At the resumed hearing of Friday the judge however returned the case file to the Chief Judge, based on the application the counsel to one of the respondents, the Odofin of Ikirun, Chief Rasidi Diekola.

The counsel, Adeoye said the request was based on loss of confidence in the court by his clients.

“I was in court on December 6 for the matter and it was on the day adjourned to February 17, 2022. I was surprise to see messages and calls from the court bailiff, directing me to come for the matter by 1pm of December 8 after it has been adjourned till February 17, 2022.

“I discussed the development with my clients and they directed me to write to the Chief Judge stating their loss of confidence in the ongoing matter which I have done.

“I will be praying your Lordship to abate further actions on the matter, pending the outcome of the letter submitted to the CJ,” Adeoye said.

But counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Chukwudi Maduka, prayed the court to discountenance the application and proceed with the matter, saying the respondents would benefit from the lacuna that would be created if the proceeding did not go on.

In her ruling, Justice Onibokun, declared that she had no interest in the matter, and directed the clerk to transfer the case file to the Chief Judge.

Princes Mudasiru Olatunji, Lukman Olatunji and two others, on behalf of Gboleru Ruling House of Ikirun, had on November 24 filed a motion exparte asking the court to stop the Oba Ara and Adedeji Ruling Houses in Ikirun from contesting the vacant stool of the Akinrun of Ikirun with them.

They also prayed the court to stop the Local and State Governments of Osun from accepting any nomination outside the Gboleru Ruling House.