By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
The succession crisis surrounding the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland has taken another legal turn, following a suit instituted by the Adele Oba Awujale-in-Council against the Ogun State Government and members of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC).
The suit, marked HCJ/201/2026, was filed at the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode. It challenges the establishment and reconstitution of the interim administrative council by the state government, which the plaintiffs claim is inconsistent with the traditional customs and ancestral practices of Ijebuland.
The Adele Oba Awujale-in-Council, led by the Adele, described as the traditional regent, and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olo’rgun Dr Sonny Kuku, is asking the court to determine the legitimate traditional administrative authority responsible for managing the affairs of Ijebu-Ode during the interregnum.
In the substantive suit, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the Adele Oba Awujale-in-Council is the recognised traditional administrative authority empowered under the native law, customs and traditions of Ijebuland to oversee traditional and local administrative affairs during the vacancy of the Awujale stool.
They are also asking the court to declare the establishment and reconstitution of the AIAC by the state government as inconsistent with the customs and traditions of Ijebu-Ode and the provisions of the Ogun State Chiefs Law.
The plaintiffs further want the court to set aside the appointments of members of the reconstituted council and restrain the state government from interfering with what they describe as the customary administrative responsibilities of the Adele Oba Awujale-in-Council.
They are also seeking a permanent injunction restraining the appointed members of the AIAC from holding meetings or exercising traditional, civil or financial administrative authority over Ijebu-Ode under the disputed arrangement.
Council seeks interim court order
In a separate application filed alongside the substantive suit, the Adele Oba Awujale-in-Council is seeking an interlocutory injunction pending the determination of the case.
The application asks the court to restrain members of the reconstituted AIAC from holding meetings or exercising administrative authority over Ijebu-Ode.
It also seeks an order preventing the governor, relevant government officials and ministries from recognising, dealing with or providing financial support to the disputed council pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Suit is about cultural preservation, not succession – Kuku
Explaining the reasons behind the legal action, Kuku said the suit was not intended to interfere with the process of selecting a new Awujale but to protect the traditional administrative structure of Ijebuland.
According to him, the succession process has reached the stage of deliberations by the kingmakers on a candidate from the 95 names submitted to the Afobajes.
He said, “This new suit has nothing to do with the succession process, which is already at the stage of deliberation on a candidate out of the 95 names sent to the Afobajes (Kingmakers). This suit is strictly to preserve the cultural norms, practices, and ancestral heritage of Ijebu-Ode on the Adele Awujale concept.”
Kuku maintained that the council had earlier drawn the attention of the Ogun State Government to the traditional arrangement before the initial AIAC was constituted.
He described the court action as an effort to preserve the heritage of Ijebuland rather than confront the government.
He also cited the historical emergence of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in 1960, arguing that no Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council was established by the then Premier of the Western Region, Chief S.L.A. Akintola, before the monarch’s installation.
According to him, the Adele concept, historically led by the Ogbeni Oja, is as old as the Awujale institution itself.
Succession crisis deepens after Oba Adetona’s transition
The latest lawsuit adds another dimension to the prolonged succession crisis following the death of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, in July 2025.
Since the monarch’s transition, disagreements have emerged over the administration of the kingdom during the interregnum and the process of selecting his successor.
The Ogun State Government initially established an interim administrative arrangement in August 2025. However, traditional kingmakers and chiefs reportedly rejected the arrangement and opted for the Adele Oba Awujale-in-Council.
The government subsequently announced the reconstitution of the AIAC under a new leadership structure, a decision now being challenged by the plaintiffs.
The succession dispute has also generated other court cases.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House instituted suit HCJ/149/2026 against Governor Dapo Abiodun and the kingmakers over the suspension of the selection process.
Another case, HCJ/167/2026, reportedly arose from internal leadership disagreements within the ruling house and involves a N1 billion defamation claim.
Popular Fuji musician and Awujale aspirant, Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde Adesanya, popularly known as K1, has also approached the court over alleged procedural irregularities and fair hearing concerns relating to the screening exercise.
Meanwhile, the selection process has reportedly been suspended twice by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs following petitions, allegations and security concerns surrounding its conduct.
Governor Dapo Abiodun had earlier assured stakeholders that a new Awujale would emerge peacefully before May 29, 2027.
However, the latest legal action suggests that disagreements over the traditional administration of Ijebuland remain unresolved.
The Adele Oba Awujale-in-Council has urged sons and daughters of Ijebuland and other stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding while the matter is before the court.
The council insists that the customs, ancestral heritage and dignity of the Awujale institution must be protected, adding that the traditional succession and administrative processes should not be complicated by unnecessary interference.
The court’s determination of the suit and the pending application for interlocutory injunction is expected to shape the ongoing debate over the administration of Ijebuland during the interregnum.
Tags: Awujale, Ijebuland, Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, Sonny Kuku, Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Ogun traditional rulers, Awujale succession.
