By Ayodele Oni
Defying Court of Appeal ruling halting installation ceremony of Oba Akintoye Adeyemi of Okeigbo, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday, officially presented the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the monarch, charging him to promote peace, unity and development in his domain.
As the ceremony was ongoing in the community, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Akure, declared that the installation rites of the Oba of Okeigbo remain illegal.
The appellate court, reacting to an application filed by counsel to the appellant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), emphasized that any action taken in defiance of the court’s authority would be rendered null and void, stressing that “the sanctity of the court must always be respected.”
Speaking at the ceremony at Oke-Igbo, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the event marked the end of a long-drawn traditional and legal tussle that had left the stool of Olu-Oke vacant for years.
He recalled that the vacancy followed a judicial pronouncement which nullified the appointment of the late Oba Babajide Lawrence Oluwole.
According to him, the court ruled that the late Oba was not a descendant of the Aare Kuigbaigbe Ruling House and consequently ordered that the next monarch should emerge from that same ruling house.
The Governor explained that the Chieftaincy Declaration registered in 2019 by the deposed monarch was rendered null and void by the judgment, restoring the native laws and customs of Oke-Igbo as the valid guide for the selection process.
Commending the kingmakers for their sincere and invaluable roles, the Governor urged the new monarch to see his ascension as a call to service and an opportunity to foster peace and unity in Oke-Igbo.
He said, “Kabiyesi, you are now a father to all. Forget the acrimony of the past and do not use your position to victimise perceived opponents or rivals. I pray that Oke-Igbo will witness peace, growth and development during your reign.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa also appealed to other contenders and their supporters to support the new monarch, saying, “The interest of Oke-Igbo must be placed above all personal interests. You should all see the emergence of the new king as the will of God for your town.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security, saying the government had invested heavily in strengthening the Amotekun Corps and supporting other security agencies.
He enjoined residents to be vigilant and collaborate with security agencies to combat banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, stressing that “security should be a collective responsibility, not a government affair alone.
“Our traditional rulers remain vital partners in promoting peace, harmony and unity. We will continue to respect and empower our Obas as custodians of culture, but they must also complement government’s efforts through intelligence gathering and community mobilisation.”
The Appellate Court while delivering ruling, held that any installation process currently underway was “founded on illegality”, reiterating that the integrity of the judiciary must be preserved at all times.
The court further directed that a hearing notice be served on the Ondo State Government and adjourned the matter to Tuesday, November 11, 2025 for further hearing.
The appellate court, reacting to an application filed by counsel to the appellant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), emphasized that any action taken in defiance of the court’s authority would be rendered null and void, stressing that “the sanctity of the court must always be respected.”
Ojo, through an application dated November 2, 2025, informed the court of a letter purportedly issued by the Ondo State Government approving the appointment of Prince Felix Akintoye Adeoye as the Oluoke of Okeigbo.
He urged the court to take judicial notice that, following such an appointment, further traditional rites, including installation, would typically take place.
Consequently, he prayed the court to issue a restraining and consequential order nullifying any actions carried out on the strength of the alleged appointment letter.
Ojo also asked the court to invoke its disciplinary powers to reverse any illegality that may have occurred.
In his response, counsel to the respondent, Sola Ebiseni, openly denied the existence of the said appointment letter, insisting that he did not believe it emanated from the state government.
He therefore sought a short adjournment to verify the authenticity of the document and prepare a formal response to the appellant’s application.
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