Court deposes Ekiti monarch

[Punch]

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ikole Ekiti has nullified the appointment of the Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olayunji.

Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi based the nullification of the monarch's appointment  and installation on irregularities involved in his process of selection.

The  judge ordered that  relevant authorities should commence a fresh, credible and fair selection exercise to fill the stool.

The sacked monarch, who is from Fabunmi Ruling House, was installed on January 22, 2009. However, his installation was challenged by Prince Oluwadare Ayeni, who prayed the court to nullify his selection because of irregularities involved in his selection.

Counsel for the aggrieved prince, Mr. Dayo Adewumi, subsequently prayed the court to nullify the selection of Oba Olatunji, arguing that  his selection  did not conform  with the provisions of the Chiefs Law 1984, as amended.

Counsel for the monarch and the kingmakers, Mr. Christopher Omokhafe, however, told the court that the aggrieved prince had waived his rights because of his decision to opt for Ifa Oracle rather than  the voting system in the selection of candidate.

The presiding judge however ruled in favour of the aggrieved prince and removed the Kabiyesi, while he also ordered that a fresh process  to fill the stool should begin.

The Punch