It is no longer news that kingmakers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State have proclaimed Prince Afolabi Ghadi Olaoye, as the Orumogege III and the 30th Soun of Ogbomoso.
It was at the commencement of traditional rites preceding his mounting the throne less than 24 hours after an Oyo State High Court sitting in the town restrained Governor Seyi Makinde from presenting him with the staff of office.
Olaoye who was a US based pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) until the approval of his nomination last Saturday by the governor, was proclaimed the Soun by the Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin at about 8am.
He later sat on the throne flanked by a Christian clergy, an Imam and a traditionalist all of whom took turns to pray for him.
On hand to witness the event were ecstatic natives who expressed delight at his emergence.
A palace source informed that the kingmakers performed enthronement traditional rites for Olaoye early in the morning before he sat on the throne of his forefathers.
The high court had on Thursday restrained the governor, the state’s Attorney General and the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters either by themselves, agents or officials from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of certificate of installation to the enthroned monarch pending the determination of an ongoing suit.
Court Action
Plaintiff in the suit is Prince Muhammed Olaoye who is challenging the process that produced the new Soun.
Justice K.A Adedokun who gave the ruling also restrained the 1st defendant from parading, representing or presenting himself as the candidate for any ceremony for the issuance of certificate of installation or wear any regalia resembling that of the occupant of the stool of Soun of Ogbomoso Chieftaincy pending the hearing and final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.
He also ordered Prince Muhammed Kabir Olaoye to serve the motion on notice for mandatory injunction on all the 12 respondents in the suit.
Justice Adedokun in the ruling said: “I am convinced that the application is one of the instances where this honourable court is empowered by Order 48 Rule 8 to exercise its discretion in favour of grant of same. One of the situations which an injunction is designed to combat is to arrest a fait accompli which the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 12th respondents have attempted to foist on the circumstances of this case. In this situation, the application is ordered as prayed and accordingly.”
He adjourned the matter to September 12, 2023 for hearing of the application.
Other respondents in the suit are Ogbomoso North traditional council, Prince Amos Olaoye, the Mogaji of Olaoye Ruling House; Chief S.O. Otolorin, the Areago of Ogbomoso land, who is also the chairman of the kingmakers of Soun Chieftaincy; Chief Salawu Ajadi, the Jagun of Ogbomoso land; Chief Tijani Abioye, the Baara of Ogbomoso land; Chief David Adeniran Ojo, the Ikolaba of Ogbomoso land and Chief Yusuf Rasaki Oladipupo, the Abese of Ogbomoso land.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
