Court Sacks Afolabi Olaoye as Soun of Ogbomoso, Orders Fresh Selection Process

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan. 

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, Wednesday, nullified the selection and installation of Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.

The state government had announced Olaoye, a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and based in the United States of America (USA), as the new Soun and the kingmakers of the town subsequently installed him on September 8, 2023.

However, Prince Kabir Olaoye, one of the contenders for the Soun of Ogbomoso stool, dragged him to court, saying he was not eligible for the position of Soun of Ogbomoso.

The presiding judge, Justice K.A. Adedokun, while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Kabir, had restrained the governor, Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State either by themselves, agents or officials from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of certificate of installation to Ghandi pending the hearing and final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.

Kabir said the selection of Ghandi did not follow due process and the Ogbomoso cheiftaincy declaration.

He then prayed the court to nullify Ghandi’s selection and installation, as well as order the kingmakers to commence a fresh selection process.

Justice Adedokun, in the judgment delivered on Wednesday, nullified the selection and installation of Ghandi as Soun of Ogbomoso and ordered the kingmakers to commence a fresh process to select a new monarch for the town.