Ruling houses in Ijabeland, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, have approached the Osun State High Court to challenge the state government’s decision to set aside the 2018 Amended Onijabe Chieftaincy Declaration.
The action was filed in Suit No. HIK/2/2018 before the High Court, Okuku Judicial Division, by Tunde Ayodele Alabi, Samson Oladipupo, Ganiyu Opatola and Sulaimon Awoyeye, representing the Olukoyo Dodo, Obadoke, Alaase and Oloyede families of Ijabe.
The applicants contend that they are recognised royal families entitled to the Onijabe stool under the 2018 Amended Declaration.
In their Motion on Notice dated October 26, 2026, they are seeking an order setting aside the proceedings, deliberations and decisions of the State Executive Council of October 23, 2026, as they relate to the Onijabe declaration and any selection or approval to the stool while the case is pending.
They also sought an order directing all parties to maintain status quo ante bellum by not approving or recognising any person as Onijabe pending determination of the substantive suit, and an order restraining the Governor of Osun State, the Attorney-General, Odo-Otin Local Government and its Chieftaincy Committee from taking further steps on the vacant stool.
The motion was filed by Maruf Adediran, R.T. Abdulateef and O.A. Folarin of Wulaemah Chambers, Osogbo.
In the affidavit in support deposed to by Alabi, he stated that he had the consent of the other applicants and heads of their families and traced the dispute to an earlier suit, HIK/43/97, which lasted about 20 years and was determined on April 25, 2017.
According to him, the suit challenged the recommendation of the Okanlawon Panel, which later formed the basis of the 2018 Amended Declaration.
He stated that following the judgment, the Osun State Government approved and registered the Amended Declaration on July 13, 2018, pursuant to Section 4(11) of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 25, Laws of Osun State, 2002, and published it in the State Official Gazette on July 26, 2018.
The applicants argue that the 2018 Declaration remains the valid legal instrument for the selection and appointment of the Onijabe.
They disclosed that claimants in the earlier suit instituted the present suit after the declaration was issued and had filed an application for injunction, which is yet to be heard.
They alleged that while the injunction application is pending, the opposing parties influenced the Executive Council to set aside the declaration, an allegation yet to be determined by the court.
Attached as Exhibit A to the application was a government press release which stated that the Executive Council had set aside the 2018 Declaration and approved the appointment of Babatunde Omotosho Tajudeen as Onijabe of Ijabeland with immediate effect.
The court is yet to fix a date for hearing.
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