The Tawunu Human Rights Initiative has dragged the Osun State Government before the Federal High Court, Osogbo, over an alleged attempt to gag the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, for expressing his personal religious views.
The case is over alleged interference with the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression of the monarch.
The group says it is suing in the public interest and for persons whose rights are threatened. It filed the suit, marked FHC/OS/CS/205/2026, through its counsel, Prof. Abdul Rasheed Musa Yusuf.
Joined as respondents are the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney-General of Osun State and the Oluwo himself.
In the suit, the group wants the court to declare that the Oluwo has the right to hold and express his personal religious, philosophical and cultural opinions on traditional practices, idol worship, rituals and palace administration, as guaranteed under Sections 38 and 39 of the Constitution.
It also wants the court to hold that freedom of expression includes the right to hold opinions, speak publicly, share views, advocate reform and express dissent on religion, culture, governance and public interest, subject only to lawful restrictions.
The group contends that any directive, warning, restraining letter, threat or intimidation stopping the Oluwo from expressing his personal opinions, without clear statutory authority, is an unlawful interference with his rights.
It further argues that the Commissioner has no power to restrict the Oluwo’s freedom of expression merely because his opinions are unpopular, controversial or offensive to parts of the traditional institution. It also says the existence of a traditional institution does not give the Ministry power to censor a traditional ruler’s personal opinions.
The group is also seeking perpetual injunctions restraining the Commissioner and the Attorney-General, and their agents, from censoring, intimidating, threatening or sanctioning the Oluwo over his exercise of freedom of expression and conscience, provided his expression remains within the law.
It further wants the court to order the Commissioner to withdraw any restraining directive against the Oluwo, and to direct both respondents to respect his rights and ensure no removal, withdrawal of recognition or other punishment is imposed on him merely for his opinions. No date has been fixed for hearing.
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