The Oba-elect of Bolorunduro Kingdom in Ondo East Native Authorities Space of Ondo State, Samuel Fawehinmi, has expressed displeasure over the appointment of one other monarch by the state authorities in the identical group.
The State Govt Council final week authorised the appointment of Prof Thompson Akinifesi because the Ekingbade of Bolorunduro.
The Commissioner for Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, who introduced the appointment, mentioned it might usher in a brand new period locally, which is the headquarters of Bolorunduro Native Authorities.
Talking on the event, Fawehinmi described the appointment of Prof Akinnifesi as an infraction of the rule of regulation and an affront to the judiciary, including that the matter over the obaship of the city was nonetheless in court docket.
In an announcement he signed and made obtainable to our correspondent on Tuesday, Fawehinmi urged the general public to ignore the announcement.
He acknowledged that he was appointed because the monarch of the city by the administration of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, however the set up stalled following a court docket case.
Fawehinmi acknowledged that “The stool of the Oba of Bolorunduro is presently topic to litigation earlier than the Ondo State Excessive Courtroom in Swimsuit No. HOD/53/2023 between Samuel Oladipupo Fawehinmi and others versus the Govt Governor of Ondo State and others, through which Prof Akinnifesi is the eighth defendant/counter-claimant.
Giving a quick background, Fawehinmi mentioned: “The Ondo State Authorities, by a letter dated November 22, 2022, through the tenure of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, issued an appointment letter to me because the Adegbalu of Bolorunduro.”
The embattled oba-elect famous that it was the foot-dragging of the state authorities to correctly set up him as the normal ruler that led to the swimsuit.
”The Ondo State Authorities is conscious of the swimsuit and is represented by legal professionals, whereas Prof Akinnifesi can be represented and has counter-claimed, asking the court docket to declare him because the Oba of Bolorunduro. The case has been adjourned to October 6, 2026.
”It’s, due to this fact, superb that the identical authorities that needs to be the custodian of the regulation has now handled the court docket with the very best disdain and contempt by appointing Prof Akinnifesi whereas the case is pending.
”This motion is illegitimate, disrespectful to our custom, and quantities to contempt of court docket,” Fawehinmi famous
He maintained that his emergence adopted due session with kingmakers and was in accordance with customs and the chieftaincy declaration.
”The matter is sub judice; the regulation expects all events to keep up the established order till judgment is delivered,” he mentioned, stressing that “the imposition has divided the group and introduced rigidity to the in any other case peaceable city.”
He urged all of the residents of the group to stay calm, peaceable and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the judiciary remained the final hope of the widespread man.
He additionally appealed to Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa to look into the matter, stressing that the federal government should uphold the rule of regulation.
”Bolorunduro deserves a king chosen by custom, not by politics,” Fawehinmi concluded.
