Tension rises in Ondo community over controversial approval of new monarch

A contemporary disaster is brewing in Supare-Akoko, in Akoko South-West Native Authorities Space of Ondo State, following the state authorities’s approval of Prince Adewale Fatunsi because the new Olusupare of Supare-Akoko, regardless of a pending court docket case difficult the choice course of.

The event has heightened rigidity in the community, with considerations that the federal government’s motion might additional inflame the already contentious chieftaincy dispute.

The controversy additionally took a authorized dimension on Wednesday as Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, the Commissioner for Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Lawyer-Basic and Commissioner for Justice, and different officers have been threatened with contempt proceedings over the alleged violation of a subsisting court docket order.

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The warning was issued in Akure on Wednesday by human rights lawyer Tolu Babaleye, counsel to 1 of the contenders for the stool, Prince Solomon Animasahun Adelakun.

Babaleye alleged that the State Govt Council, at its assembly on Tuesday, July 28, permitted the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatunsi Richard regardless of an interlocutory injunction restraining all events from taking additional steps on the matter pending the dedication of the substantive go well with.

In accordance with him, the dispute is earlier than the Ondo State Excessive Courtroom, Oka-Akoko Division, in Swimsuit No. HKA/32/2024, between Prince Solomon Animasahun Adelakun and Prince Adewale Fatunsi Richard, with Governor Aiyedatiwa, the 2 commissioners, and 11 others listed as defendants.

He defined that the case was instituted after his consumer was allegedly excluded from the choice course of for the Olusupare stool.

The lawyer disclosed that the matter had reached a sophisticated stage, with each events having referred to as their witnesses and closed their instances.

Babaleye added that the go well with had been adjourned to September 23, 2026, for the adoption of remaining written addresses earlier than judgment.

He maintained that the interlocutory injunction restraining the state authorities from approving any candidate stays legitimate till the court docket delivers its judgment.

“Regardless of the existence of this subsisting court docket order, the Ondo State Authorities, at its State Govt Council assembly of July 28, 2026, went forward to ratify the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatunsi Richard,” he alleged.

He described the federal government’s motion as “a flagrant disobedience to a subsisting court docket order and a reckless affront to the sanctity of the judiciary.”

In accordance with him, the state authorities was represented by counsel on the final sitting and was absolutely conscious that the case had reached its concluding stage. He argued that the approval amounted to self-help succesful of rendering the court docket proceedings worthless.

He urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to right away droop the approval and permit the court docket to find out the matter, warning that disregard for court docket orders in chieftaincy disputes might threaten peace and stability in Ondo State.

Babaleye additional warned that if the federal government didn’t reverse the approval, his consumer would start contempt proceedings in opposition to the governor and different officers allegedly concerned in the approval.

The State Commissioner for Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, on Tuesday introduced the ratification of the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatunsi because the Olusupare of Supare-Akoko.