Proceedings at the Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa have culminated in the striking out of a high-profile chieftaincy suit challenging the appointment of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, following a decisive ruling by Honourable Justice M.O. Agboola.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Justice Agboola held that while the preliminary objection raised by the first defendant failed on the issue of exhaustion of administrative remedies, it succeeded on the issue of locus standi—thereby rendering the suit incompetent.
The case, marked HIL/08/2025, was instituted by Prince Kayode Michael Adewale Arimoro and Prince Adedire Adegoke Arimoro, who sued on behalf of members of the Arimoro Royal Family of the Bilaro-Oluodo Ruling House. The claimants had sought multiple reliefs, including the nullification of the appointment and installation of Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
In his ruling, Justice Agboola addressed two critical issues raised in the preliminary objection filed by the first defendant. On the first issue—whether the claimants’ failure to exhaust administrative remedies deprived the court of jurisdiction—the court ruled in favour of the claimants.
The judge found that the Osun State Governor’s swift approval of the appointment within the statutory 21-day window effectively denied the claimants the opportunity to make representations as required under Section 20 of the Chiefs Law of Osun State. As a result, the court held that the claimants could not be penalized for failing to exhaust a remedy that had been rendered impracticable.
Justice Agboola emphasized that where statutory procedures are frustrated or rendered impossible by the actions of the approving authority, litigants retain the constitutional right to approach the court directly. He further noted that insisting on exhaustion of such remedies in the circumstances would amount to a denial of fair hearing.
However, on the second issue concerning locus standi, the court ruled against the claimants. Justice Agboola held that the claimants failed to establish sufficient legal standing to institute the action.
The court observed that the claimants, who sued on behalf of the Arimoro Royal Family—a branch of the Bilaro-Oluodo Ruling House—did not qualify as a recognized ruling house under the 1965 Chieftaincy Declaration governing the stool. As such, they lacked the legal capacity required to challenge the appointment.
Furthermore, the court noted that the claimants did not convincingly demonstrate that they participated as candidates in the selection process conducted by the kingmakers, nor did they establish that they stood to benefit directly from the reliefs sought.
Justice Agboola reiterated that in chieftaincy matters, only individuals with clearly defined legal rights—such as recognized ruling houses or actual contestants in the selection process—can validly institute legal proceedings.
Having resolved the two issues, the court concluded that although the objection on administrative remedies failed, the success of the objection on locus standi was sufficient to defeat the entire suit.
Consequently, the case was struck out for lack of competence.
The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing legal contest surrounding the Owa Obokun stool, reaffirming the centrality of locus standi in chieftaincy disputes under Nigerian law.
Prince Kayode Michael Adewale Arimoro of Ijesaland has reacted to the recent court ruling on the preliminary objection in the ongoing legal dispute over the Owa Obokun stool, describing the outcome as a defining moment for the future of the traditional institution.
In a press release issued on April 30, 2026, Prince Arimoro acknowledged the decision of the court, which struck out the suit on procedural grounds. However, he argued that the ruling also revealed deeper concerns about the process that led to the selection and installation of Prince Adesuyi Haastrup.
According to him, while the case was dismissed on what he termed a “narrow procedural ground,” the court’s findings pointed to significant flaws in the selection process. He alleged that certain aspects of the ruling were influenced by misrepresentations presented by the defence but maintained that the substance of the judgment supports his position.
Prince Arimoro emphasized that the court’s pronouncement underscores inconsistencies with both legal provisions and established traditional practices governing the appointment of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
He described the development not as a setback, but as a turning point in the legal and traditional contest, stressing that the integrity of the revered stool must be protected from procedural irregularities and unlawful interference.
The prince further assured stakeholders that steps are already being taken to challenge the outcome. He disclosed that legal options, including appellate actions, are under active consideration and will be pursued to ensure that due process is upheld.
Reaffirming his commitment to the cause, Arimoro stated that the ultimate goal remains to ensure that the selection process for the Owa Obokun strictly adheres to both the law and the customs of Ijesaland.
He also called on indigenes of the community to remain calm and steadfast, urging them to uphold values of fairness, justice, and respect for due process as the matter progresses.
The legal tussle over the Owa Obokun stool continues to generate attention across Ijesaland, with observers closely watching the next line of action following the court’s decision.
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