Ogun Court Reassigns Awujale Succession Suit

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode has returned the Awujale succession suit to the administrative judge for reassignment, leaving the legal challenge over the selection process still unresolved.

The case, numbered HCJ/149/2026, was filed by members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House against Governor Dapo Abiodun, kingmakers and other state officials over the stalled process for choosing the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

Justice A.A. Omoniyi, who sat as vacation judge, said on Wednesday that he had only about a week before his annual vacation and might not return to duty until January 2027. He said the file should therefore go back to the administrative judge for reallocation.

Punch and Daily Trust reported that the court adjourned the matter to September 23 for further hearing. Vanguard reported that the judge also warned parties against taking steps that could disturb the existing situation while the case remains before the court.

The ruling house is asking the court to compel the completion of the selection process. Its lawyer, Olusegun Otayemi, told the court that the defendants had been served and that the family was ready to proceed.

Counsel for the kingmakers, Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, appeared for the seventh to 15th defendants. A state counsel, W.A. Onawole, appeared for the governor, the attorney-general and other government defendants, saying they were still within time to file their responses.

The dispute followed the suspension of the selection process for the next Awujale after the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona. The court’s next sitting is expected to determine how quickly the reassigned case can proceed.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard, Daily Trust