The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, has upheld the selection and installation of Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso, overturning an earlier ruling that nullified his appointment.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Yargata Nimpar, leading a three-member panel, ruled in favor of Oba Olaoye on all 10 grounds of appeal.
This decision sets aside the October 25, 2023, judgment by the Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso, which had declared Oba Olaoye’s selection “irregular, null, and void.” The initial ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Prince Kabir Olaoye, a contender for the throne, who argued that the selection process violated the 1958 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration.
Following the High Court’s decision, Oba Olaoye and key kingmakers, including Chief S.O Otolorin and Salawu Ajadi, appealed the ruling. They also secured a stay of execution, which allowed Governor Seyi Makinde to formally install Olaoye as the Soun on December 20, 2023.
The appellants, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Prof. Yusuf Ali, argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction over the case, as the claimant had not followed the dispute resolution process outlined in the Oyo State Chiefs Law.
Justice Nimpar agreed, ruling that the High Court’s decision was flawed and that the appellants were denied a fair hearing.
“The judgment of the Oyo State High Court is hereby set aside,” she declared, awarding N500,000 in costs against the respondents, including Prince Kabir Olaoye, Governor Seyi Makinde, and other state officials.
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