An Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife has reinstated Oba Adegboyega Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo, overturning the state government’s decision to revoke his appointment.
In its ruling on Thursday, the court nullified the White Paper and Executive Order issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke regarding the Owa of Igbajo chieftaincy title.
The Osun State Government had released six White Papers in January 2024 after conducting investigations into various chieftaincy matters. One of the documents invalidated the selection process that led to Oba Famodun’s emergence as Owa of Igbajo.
Oba Famodun, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, was appointed and installed by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in 2022, shortly before the end of his administration. However, upon assuming office on November 27, 2022, Governor Adeleke annulled the appointment and set up a committee to review the matter.
Following the committee’s findings, the government issued an Executive Order nullifying Famodun’s installation and calling for a fresh selection process.
In response, Oba Famodun challenged the government’s decision in court, insisting that his selection and appointment followed due process.
Delivering judgment, Justice A. O. Ayoola ruled that the Executive Order and White Paper had no legal authority to invalidate a properly conducted chieftaincy process, thereby restoring Oba Famodun to the throne.
