Awujale: Judge returns suit against Gov Abiodun, kingmakers for reassignment
A vacation judge at the Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ijebu-Ode, Justice A. A. Omoniyi, on Wednesday returned the case file of the suit against the stoppage of the selection process for the next Awujale to the administrative judge for reassignment.
The suit marked HCJ/149/2026 was filed in August by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House against Governor Dapo Abiodun, the nine kingmakers and others over the stoppage of the selection process for the next Awujale.
The ruling house is seeking orders compelling the completion of the process for the selection of the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The suit, numbered HCJ/149/2026 and dated August 21, 2026, was filed by Owoyemi, chairman of the ruling house; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, deputy chairman; and Prof. Chief Fassy Yusuf, vice chairman of the royal house.
Also joined in the suit were the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN; the Ogun State Executive Council; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; and the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government.
Others listed as defendants are members of the Awujale Afobaje/Kingmakers Council, including Olorogun Sonny Kuku, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, Chief Oluwaranti Lekan Osifeso, Chief Jimi Lawal, Chief Abimbola Okenla, Chief Kunle Ogunade, Chief Agboola Alausa, Chief Adebisi Adaran and Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja.
At the court proceeding on Wednesday, Justice Omoniyi said he would be embarking on his annual vacation within the next one week and might not return to duty until January 2027.
He said he was aware of the urgency of the suit, but was constrained by time, having only one week left before embarking on his annual vacation.
Omoniyi, therefore, ruled, in the interim, that the case file should be returned to the administrative judge for reallocation. He adjourned the matter to September 23 for continued hearing.
