Ekiti: Supreme Court Affirms Eda Oniyo As Constitutionally Recognised HQ Of Ilejemeji

By Ayodele Oni

The Supreme Court has finally laid to rest the legal tussle surrounding the headquarter of Ilejemeje local government, affirming Eda Oniyo as the constitutionally recognised seat of government.

The court presided over by Justice Inyang Okoro, on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by Iye Ekiti to challenge earlier decision to relocate the headquarter back to Eda Oniyo by the state government, acting on order by the apex court.

The apex court had earlier in 2018 affirmed Eda Oniyo as the LG headquarter when it upheld an appeal filed by the community over relocation to Iye Ekiti.

Judgement on Monday, 21st September, 2026 in another appeal filed by Iye upheld the earlier position of the Supreme Court on the matter.

The Court frowned at the conduct of the Appellants’ counsel that he ought to have advised his clients on the futility of the appeal, instead of taking them through the stress of litigation over a matter that had been settled by the Supreme Court vide its judgment delivered on 14th December, 2018.

The apex court insisted that it could not invalidate earlier judgement it gave on the matter and that the decree which created the LG has become part and parcel of the law, except amended by the national assembly .

It added that since the state government had complied with the earlier judgement of 2018 by relocating the headquarter back to Eda Oniyo, there was no need for fresh litigation on the matter.

The court awarded N10 million cost in favour of Eda Oniyo.

Prof. Kayode Adetifa represented the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, who is the 3rd Respondent- in the Appeal, while Eniola Arogundade, Director of Appeals in the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice represented the State Government.

Appellants’ counsel is Taiwo Hassan, SAN who led other counsel.