Akirun stool: Judge returns case file to CJ for reassignment

Justice Adedotun Onibokun of an Osun High Court has directed that the case file concerning the restriction/selection of the “Akinrun of Ikirun” be returned to the state’s Chief Judge (CJ) for reassignment.

Onibokun made the decision on Friday based on the request of some of the parties in the case, who expressed a lack of trust in his court.

Counsel for the defendants (Ikirun kingmakers) in the case, Mr Muhydeen Adeoye, urged the court to transfer the case file to the CJ for reassignment to another judge, claiming that his clients have lost faith in the court.

Adeoye stated that the decision is based on the bailiff’s alleged unfavorable calls and messages directing him to come to the court when the matter was not scheduled to be heard.

“We were in court on December 6, and the matter was adjourned to February 17, 2022,” he said. I was surprised to receive messages and phone calls from the bailiff of the court directing me to appear in court by 1 p.m. on December 8.”

“I discussed the bailiff’s action with my clients, and they directed me to write to the CJ, expressing their lack of confidence in the ongoing matter, which I did.”

“I will be pleading with your Lordship to put the matter on hold pending the outcome of the letter submitted to the CJ.”

Chukwudi Maduka, counsel for the Gboleru Ruling House plaintiffs, objected to the request and asked the court to disregard it and continue with the proceedings because the parties were present.

Later, Onibokun directed the clerk to transfer the case file to the CJ, stating that she is uninterested in the matter.

According to NAN, Princes Mudasiru Olatunji, Lukman Olatunji, and two others filed an ex parte motion on Nov. 24 on behalf of the Gboleru Ruling House of Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun, asking the court to prevent the Oba Ara and Adedeji Ruling Houses in Ikirun from contesting the vacant stool of the Akinrun of Ikirun with them.

They also asked the court to prevent the Osun Local Government and State Government from accepting nominations outside of the Gboleru Ruling House.