The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has upheld the appointment of Oba Afolabi Oladimeji Odidiomo as the Olu of Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Delivering judgment in Appeal No. CA/AK/30/15, Justice H.R. Shagari, on behalf of the appellate court panel, affirmed the earlier decision of the Ondo State High Court which dismissed a suit filed by princes from the Araromi and Okunnuwa Ruling Houses.
The appellants had sought to nullify the appointment of Oba Odidiomo, arguing that it contravened the customary law governing chieftaincy succession in the community.
Justice Shagari held that the appointment of Oba Odidiomo by the Igbokoda Kingmakers and its subsequent approval by the Ondo State Government in 2012 was in line with established customary law.
The court declared that the appeal lacked merit and was consequently dismissed.
Oba Odidiomo, a lawyer and member of the Larada Ruling House, had been unanimously selected by the Kingmakers in 2012, a decision that sparked legal action from members of the other two ruling houses who claimed the selection process was flawed.
The original case, Suit No. AK/283/2012, was earlier dismissed by the Ondo State High Court presided over by Justice Bode Adegbehingbe, who now also serves on the Court of Appeal.
Reacting to the judgment, Chief Sola Ebiseni, counsel to the respondents and a prominent leader in the Ilaje community, described the ruling as a victory for peace and unity.
“This judgment is not only legally sound, but it is also good for the peace, unity, and progress of our community. As you know, I am not just a lawyer in this case, I am also a leader in Ilaje. I intend to join Kabiyesi in bringing everyone together,” he said.
The judgment is expected to put an end to the longstanding dispute over the Igbokoda stool and foster reconciliation among the ruling houses.
