The Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has restrained the State Executive Council from approving the appointment of any person as the new Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, pending the determination of a suit before it.
Justice F.S. Akinbinu gave the order in Suit No. HCAK/558/CIV/2025 instituted by the Akinboro Family of the Lagokun Ruling House of Alade-Idanre, challenging the state government’s appointment of warrant chiefs for the selection of a new monarch.
The claimants, in the suit filed on December 31, 2025, argued that the appointment of warrant chiefs was unlawful, insisting that under Section 9 of the Chiefs Law, such action is only permissible where existing kingmakers are unable to form a quorum due to death.
They contended that the kingmakers had already met, formed the required quorum as stipulated by law, and selected Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso of the Akinboro Family, whose turn it is to produce the next Aladeokun.
At the hearing on February 4, 2026, counsel to the family, Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, told the court that despite the pending suit and an application seeking to halt the process, the warrant chiefs allegedly went ahead to appoint Chief Ayo Akinnadeju as Aladeokun at a meeting boycotted by the recognised kingmakers.
Counsel to the warrant chiefs, Chief O.S. Akintububo, and Chief Sola Ebiseni, who appeared for Akinnadeju, confirmed that a new Aladeokun had been appointed but opposed the request to restrain the Executive Council from acting on it.
Counsel to the kingmakers, Mrs Yetunde Ademigoke, dissociated the kingmakers from the action of the warrant chiefs and did not object to an order maintaining the status quo, while the state government, through its counsel, sought time to respond to the injunction application.
In a ruling, Justice Akinbinu ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and specifically barred the Executive Council from approving Akinnadeju’s appointment, directing an accelerated hearing of the matter and adjourning the case to February 18, 2026.
Speaking after the proceedings, Emodamori described the ruling as firm and just, saying the decision reaffirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the oppressed and added that his clients were satisfied with the court’s orders.