In a landmark judgment, an Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has deposed the Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti, Oba Femi Olugbesoye, citing his failure to fulfil key traditional coronation rites required by the customs of Iloro Ekiti.
Justice Jide Aladejana issued the ruling on September 30, 2024, in response to a lawsuit brought by Prince Olakunle Fadare and four others who contested Oba Olugbesoye’s claim to the throne.
The Ekiti State Executive Council had appointed Olugbesoye as the Oluloro on December 21, 2019, but the plaintiffs argued that his ascension was incomplete and, thus, invalid due to his alleged omission of coronation ceremonies.
The court agreed, declaring that the monarch’s failure to participate in the rites led by the Aoropare, in line with Native Law and Custom, was wrongful.
Justice Aladejana ordered the second to fifth defendants to formally depose Oba Olugbesoye from his position as the Oluloro and placed an injunction barring him from identifying as the monarch of Iloro Ekiti.
Furthermore, the court prohibited any recognition or dealings with Olugbesoye in his claimed royal capacity by the other defendants.
The claimants initiated the case in April 2022, seeking a ruling that would invalidate Olugbesoye’s title and enforce a perpetual injunction against his continued representation as the Oluloro.
They also argued that the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti lacked the authority to preside over the installation of the Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti.
Olugbesoye, however, denied these allegations, claiming compliance with traditional customs and contending that the court lacked jurisdiction.
He also argued that the plaintiffs should have pursued a judicial review rather than a direct suit.
Similarly, the second to fifth defendants called for the dismissal of the suit, terming it “grossly incompetent” and an “abuse of court process.”
Following the court's decision, Olugbesoye’s attorney, Owoseni Ajayi, confirmed that they had filed an appeal, though a hearing date has yet to be scheduled.
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