An Ondo State High Court sitting in Okitipupa has issued an interim injunction restraining the state government from appointing or recognising any individual as the Oba of Alagbon community in the Ugbo axis of Ilaje Local Government Area.
The injunction was granted by Justice T.M. Adedipe following a motion filed by the Alagbon community in Suit No. HOK/76/2022. The suit, instituted by legal counsel D.J. Ayenowo of the law firm Sola Ebiseni and Associates, challenges the Ondo State Government’s alleged imposition of a monarch on the community.
The court, in its ruling, granted three key reliefs:
- An order of interim injunction restraining the government and its agents from taking any steps towards the appointment of an Oba by any title in the Alagbon community, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
- An order restraining the government from taking any action that could compromise the fair resolution of the dispute or render the eventual judgment ineffective.
- An order nullifying any steps already taken — including the issuance of a staff of office or official documents — purporting to appoint any person as monarch in the community.
The legal tussle arose after the state government approved the appointment of a monarch titled “Gbogunron of Alagbon,” based on the White Paper of the Justice Ajama Chieftaincy Commission of Inquiry.
This move was met with strong resistance from prominent community leaders, including the Asogbon of Ugbo Kingdom, High Chief Isiah Adewole Demehin, and the Baale of Alagbon, Chief Mallon Ogede, who argued that the Gbogunron family lacked historical and traditional claims to the throne.
The plaintiffs alleged that a serving commissioner from the Gbogunron family was using his influence to manipulate the selection process in favour of his relatives.
Despite the pendency of the suit, the Ondo State Executive Council had on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, confirmed Prince Olusola Joseph Ajaka as the Gbogunron of Idi-Ogba Alagbon and Prince Isiaka Oseni as the new Alale of Akungba.
In reaction, the Alagbon community secured the interim court order to halt further action and seek a reversal of any appointments already made.
A senior official of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the court order had been received and assured that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would adhere to the rule of law.
Copies of the court order obtained by journalists confirmed that all key parties, including the Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary to the State Government, and the Olugbo of Ugbo, were duly served, as was the legal representative of the Gbogunron family, Prince Idowu Mafimisebi.
The matter has been adjourned to October 9, 2025, for further proceedings after the court’s annual vacation.
Leave a Reply