By Duchess Ifeoluwa 

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has restrained the Ondo State Executive Council, under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, from approving the appointment of anyone as the new Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, pending the determination of a suit challenging the process.

The order was made by Hon. Justice F. S. Akinbinu in Suit No. HCAK/558/CIV/2025, filed by the Akinboro Family of the Lagokun Ruling House of Alade-Idanre, following the state government’s appointment of warrant chiefs for the purpose of selecting a new Aladeokun.

The suit, filed on December 31, 2025, contests the validity of the appointment of the warrant chiefs.

The claimants argued that under Section 9 of the Chiefs Law, the state government is only empowered to appoint warrant chiefs where existing kingmakers are unable to form a quorum due to death or other incapacities.

According to the Akinboro Family, the recognised kingmakers had already met, formed the statutory quorum prescribed under Section 9(1) of the Chiefs Law, being half of their total number, and duly appointed Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso from the Akinboro Family, whose turn it is to produce the next Aladeokun.

During proceedings on February 4, 2026, counsel to the claimants, Femi Emodamori, informed the court that despite the pendency of the suit and the service of originating processes, including a motion for injunction, the warrant chiefs went ahead to appoint Chief Ayo Akinnadeju as Aladeokun.

He added that the meeting at which the appointment was made was boycotted by the original kingmakers.

Counsel to the warrant chiefs, Chief O. S. Akintububo, as well as Chief Sola Ebiseni, who represented Chief Ayo Akinnadeju, confirmed that the warrant chiefs had indeed appointed a new Aladeokun.

However, they opposed the application seeking to restrain the State Executive Council from taking further steps on the appointment.

Counsel to the kingmakers, Mrs Yetunde Ademigoke, dissociated the kingmakers from the actions of the warrant chiefs and did not oppose an order for parties to maintain the status quo.

Although absent in court, counsel to the state government, F. S. Akinnibosun, conveyed through Chief Ebiseni that the government had been served with the motion for injunction and requested time to respond.

In his ruling, Justice Akinbinu ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and expressly restrained the Ondo State Executive Council from approving the appointment of Chief Ayo Akinnadeju as the Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The court also granted an accelerated hearing and adjourned the case to February 18, 2026.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Emodamori described the court’s orders as firm, just and necessary, noting that the ruling reaffirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the oppressed.

He added that his clients were satisfied with the outcome and confident in the judicial process.