Akure Monarch-elect Sues Ondo, 18 Kingmakers
FROM JULIUS ALABI, AKURE
THE Deji-elect of Akure land, Adegbola Adelabu has taken the Ondo State government and the 18 Akure kingmakers to an Akure High Court. He is seeking an injunction restraining them from giving approval for the new selection of Deji of Akure-land as recommended by a group of people who formed a peace committee.
In the suit filed before the court yesterday in Akure through his counsel, Wale Omotosho, the monarch-elect noted that the purported findings and recommendations of the said peace committee as contained in their undated report could not override his unanimous appointment as the Deji of Akure-land on March 12, 2000 by all the surrounding 18 Akure kingmakers.
Adelabu prayed the court to restrain the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu and his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke from acting on or making use of the report of the committee since it was not reflective of general interest of the people of Akure.
Also joined in the suit are members of the peace committee and Akure Community Development Forum.
But, an 11-member peace committee, set up by the ACDF in its report recommended a fresh selection process, to pick a new candidate to fill the vacant stool of Deji.
The committee, headed by Justice Edward Ojuolape also faulted the personality of Adelabu and the process through which he emerged as an Oba-elect.
Adelabu was unanimously elected as the new Deji of Akureland by the Akure kingmakres on March 12, 2000 to succeed the late Oba Adebonajo Adesida who joined his ancestors in 1999.
The Osupa ruling house, whose turn it is to present a candidate for the vacant stool, had earlier rejected the report of the peace committee on the grounds that it did not highlight the views of its members that appeared before its peace committee.
According to the writ of summons, the constitution of the peace committee was a flagrant violation of rule of natural justice, unknown to the Chiefs Edict of Ondo State 1991 and the Deji of Akure Cheiftaincy Declaration order of same year.
The Deji-elect also prayed the court to grant him an order setting aside the report of the peace committee.
He sought a declaration that the nomination, selection and subsequent unanimous appointment of him as the Deji of Akure by all the kingmakers was proper, abide, subsisting and in accordance with all relevant laws.
Other prayers, being sought are for N500 million aggravated damages against the members of the peace committee for libel contained on page 8 of the undated report which has lowered the integrity of the Oba-elect.
