Osun Court Stops Adeleke Government from Filling Olojo of Ojo Stool

An Ede High Court in Osun State has restrained the state government from filling the vacant stool of the Olojo of Ojo in Egbedore Local Government Area pending the hearing and determination of a motion before it.

The interim injunction was granted on October 29, 2026, by Justice K. Akano following an application filed by five princes of the affected royal family, who are challenging the process surrounding the selection of a new traditional ruler.

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The suit, marked HED/18/2026, was instituted by Princes Babatunde Adegoke, Taofeek Adegoke, Nathaniel Adelakun, Abiodun Adelakun and Olukunle Oyetunji on behalf of themselves and other members of their family.

The claimants filed the action through their counsel, A. Mikaheel, against Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Egbedore Traditional Council.

Other defendants include Prince Mike Abiola, representing the Onimolodun Ruling House, and High Chief Falowo Adebayo, representing the kingmakers.

Court bars appointment and recognition of candidate

In the interim order, Justice Akano restrained the defendants, their agents, representatives, successors and anyone acting through them from taking steps to install, appoint, declare, recognise or accept any candidate as the next Olojo of Ojo.

The restriction will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the claimants on March 11, 2026.

The court’s order provides that none of the parties should proceed with the appointment or installation process while the pending application remains unresolved.

The development places the process of selecting a new Olojo of Ojo on hold, at least until the court considers the application before it.

The interim injunction does not amount to a final determination of the substantive chieftaincy dispute. The parties will have the opportunity to present their positions as the legal proceedings continue.

Osun faces another traditional stool dispute

The Olojo of Ojo dispute comes amid another chieftaincy controversy in Ijabe, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where four ruling houses have reportedly approached the court over the selection of a new Onijabe of Ijabeland.

The families are challenging the October 23, 2026 decision of the Osun State Executive Council, which reportedly cancelled the town’s 2018 amended chieftaincy declaration and approved Babatunde Tajudeen as the new traditional ruler.

The state government subsequently announced Tajudeen’s appointment on October 24 in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, alongside appointments of other traditional rulers.

The two disputes highlight continuing legal disagreements surrounding traditional institutions and chieftaincy selection processes in Osun State.

For the Olojo of Ojo stool, the next major development will be the court’s consideration of the pending motion and the positions of the parties involved. Until then, the defendants are bound by the interim injunction.