The Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, has revealed the rationale behind the family’s decision to institute a court process against the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the kingmakers before a State High Court in Ijebu-Ode.
Owoyemi said the family had to approach the court for redress because it could not afford to wait indefinitely for the next Awujale to be appointed from the Fusengbuwa Ruling family.
He disclosed this on Wednesday, shortly after a court proceeding on the matter before a vacation judge, Justice A. A. Omoniyi.
Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, told journalists that the family had completed all processes within 10 out of the 14 days provided by the law.
“We waited for 7 months. We had only 14 days by law to do what we have done. And we did it within 10 days, and immediately we delivered the papers to the kingmakers; they only had 7 days to finish and appoint an Awujale.
“From nowhere, a letter came asking that the whole thing stop because of what they call petitions, which we never saw. We don’t know who wrote the petitions, or the security report, which we have never seen a copy of till today’s date.
“And we’ve been waiting for 7 months! The Imam, the Muslims of Ijebuland, the Christians of Ijebuland, have tried all they could in the whole world to have access to the governor, so that this matter can move forward, but nothing has happened! We can’t wait forever! And we have to approach the court for intervention”.
Recall that Owoyemi, the family deputy chairman, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba and the vice chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf, had filed a suit with number HCJ/149/2026, seeking an order compelling the latter, to complete the process of selecting the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
While the defenadants were the Ogun State Governor; the State Attorney General; the Ogun State Executive Council; the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and 11 others.
Counsel to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Olusegun Otayemi, told the court that all 15 defendants had been duly served and that the family was ready to proceed with the suit.
He said, “Well, we’ve brought an action, essentially, because there was a stoppage of the selection process after it had been initiated. And the law, as we know it, does not permit a deliberate stoppage.
“Yes, if there are things that cause delays here and there, that can be excused, but not a deliberate, orchestrated stoppage; that’s why we are in court. So, and like you heard the judge, is vacationing judge. So, it’s like if he’s not available when we are next around, it may be going to another court.
“This matter is something that has some urgency in it. Ijebu Ode cannot remain kingless for so long, and that’s one of the reasons why we are in court”.
While Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, announced appearance for the 7th to 15th defendants, the kingmakers, with W. A. Onawole, a state counsel, announced his appearance for Governor Abiodun, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General.
The four other defendants, said they were still within the stipulated time and would file their responses to the suit in due course.
Meanwhile, Justice Omoniyi, at the sitting gave an interim ruling returning the suit to the administrative judge for reassignment.
The Judge informed the court that he would be embarking on his annual vacation within the next week and might not return to his seat till January 2027.
He therefore adjourned the matter to September 23 for continued hearing.