HIGH COURT JUDGMENT ON THE STATUS OF THE IRALEPO OF ISIKAN – THE REAL ISSUES AND FACTS

The attention of the Palace of the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi have been drawn to the misrepresentation of facts with respect to the Iralepo Chieftaincy and the declaration of the lower court.

2. Without prejudice, the matter is already before the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal in an appeal suit No: CA/AK/69/2022
3. It is however important to clarify issues following the tissues of lies being propagated in some quarters on the status of the Iralepo of Isikan with respect to the judgment of His Lordship, Hon. Justice A.O Odusola with suit No: AK/111M/2021 which was delivered on Thursday 17th March, 2022.
4. It is on record that the court in its judgment on page 23 affirmed that “….Further from the facts averred, the court was informed that the 1st Claimant (Deji of Akure) being dissatisfied, appealed against the judgment of the High Court. The Outcome of the suit was that the Court of Appeal dismissed the reliefs granted by the High Court and nullified the appointments as Oba…”
5. Without being immodest, His Lordship only held that he could not determine whether the issue of the instrument of office was an issue raised at the Appeal Court. However, his view never changed the narratives and the fact that the Appeal Court had struck out the judgment of the High Court, thereby reversing the Obaship status of Iralepo.
6. Interestingly, His Lordship, Justice Ademola Enikuomehin in his judgment of a similar case instituted by a claimant of the Osolo stool delivered on 27th April, 2022 in a suit No AK/28/2021 agreed with the submission of the counsel to the Deji, Barr. Olusola Oke in confirming the power of the Deji as the consenting and prescribed authority over the appointment of the Osolo of Isolo in Akure.
7. More importantly, the court held that the Osolo Chieftaincy remains a Quarter Chief in Akure Kingdom and not an autonomous community with a separate Traditional Ruler and this is also applicable to the Iralepo of Isikan.
   The court on page 29 of its judgment states inter alia “the decision of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No CA/B/129/2017 OBA OLUWADARE ADEPOJU ADESINA & ANOR V JOSEPH OLU OJO & ORS also reported as (2012) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1309) 552 has define the status of the Osolo and Iralepo Chieftaincy…”
8. His Lordship, Hon. Justice Ademola Enikuomehin further held that the judgment of the appeal court on the status of the Osolo of Isolo and Iralepo of Isikan were clear enough. The court in its judgment declared that “A general understanding of the judgment (Appeal Court) shows it unequivocally reverse the declaration of the High Court that granted the Osolo Chieftaincy, the status of an Oba. The immediate consequence of the judgment is that it supersedes Exhibit A (CTC of the instrument of Appointment of Oba Olukayode Oluwatuyi as the Osolo of Isolo dated 12th of May, 2005 signed by Dr. Olusegun Agagu, Governor of Ondo State).”
9. The striking out of the interlocutory appeal before the lower court by Justice O.A Odusola is a normal court procedure and not something special since the case is now properly before the Appeal Court with the whole records already before it.
   Notwithstanding, the continued misrepresentation of facts by one Mr. Kunle Ariyo through his news medium (Ojuasha) is a desperate attempt to ridicule the noble profession of journalism in Ondo State. Though, we are aware of the fact that he is connected with one of the parties in the suit, however, we strongly believe that his personal interest should not jeopardize the integrity of the media in the state. His continued peddling of falsehood on this matter might likely rub his news medium of its integrity and impartiality if not checked.
10. Without mincing words, the Iralepo of Isikan remains a Quarter Chief in Akure just like the Osolo of Isolo and not a recognized Oba as no court ever made any pronouncement to the contrary.
11. For the avoidance of doubt, High Chief Gbenga Henry Adeyeye is the recognized Iralepo of Isikan and have continued to perform his role as the Head of Isikan Quarter as well as a member of the Deji in-council.

Akure a gbe a ooo.
Signed
Adeyeye Michael
Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure Kingdom.
26th May, 2022

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