Ondo 29 Years Obaship Tussle: Court Dethrones Monarch

By Ayodele Oni

Justice Ademola Enikuomehin of Owo High Court one, in Ondo State has dethroned a First Class Monarch, the Olute of Ute, Oba Michael Adetunji Oluwole, from the throne.

Oluwole is a retired army officer of the rank of Major.

The judgment followed a  29-year old prolonged Chieftaincy tussle between the Olule Omoloja Ruling House and the dethroned Oba Oluwole.

The Chieftaincy case, which has been taken to the Appellate and Supreme Courts levels was referred back to the Owo High Court for continuation.

Justice Enikuomehin ruled that Adetunji Oluwole should stop parading himself as Olute and ordered fresh selection process from within the Olule Omoloja ruling house lineage.

The Court also affirmed that the retired army officer has no right to the throne, being a member of the Kingmakers and should not make himself King.

The Court, thereafter, awarded damages against the dethroned Monarch in favour of the claimants.

Speaking on the judgment, Counsel to the Claimant, Mr Adewumi Fabuluje said it was victory at last for the Olule Omolaja ruling house for a case that started in 1995 and traversed all Courts.

On his part, State Counsel, FK Salami noted that the judgment would be reviewed and necessary action taken.

In their responses, Princes Boboye,  Omoloja and Chief Leke Obabumoye described the judgment as a relief from long suffering from their original entitlement, which they claimed was hijacked by a stranger.