COURT REASSIGNS SUIT OVER AWUJALE SELECTION

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode has ordered the reassignment of a suit challenging the suspension of the process for selecting a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

Justice A.A. Omoniyi, sitting as a vacation judge, directed that the case file be returned to the administrative judge for reassignment because he is due to begin his annual vacation within the next week.

The suit was filed by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, members of the Awujale kingmakers’ council and other government officials. The family is asking the court to compel the completion of the selection process, which it says was deliberately halted.

Justice Omoniyi acknowledged the urgency of the matter but said he had only about a week before proceeding on vacation. He therefore adjourned the case to September 23 for further hearing.

Counsel to the ruling house, Olusegun Otayemi, said all 15 defendants had been served and that his clients were ready to proceed.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House said the selection process was suspended after 95 aspirants emerged during its nomination exercise in December 2025.

The Ogun State Government halted the process in January 2026, citing petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.

The Awujale stool has remained vacant since the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July 2025 after 65 years on the throne.