Court sacks Ataoja of Osogbo

AN Osogbo High Court, on Monday, re-affirmed the removal of Oba Oyetunji Olanipekun as the Ataoja of Osogboland.

The traditional ruler was installed on Sunday, September 12, 2010 by the Prince Olagunsoye Oyin-lola-led administration in the state.

Justice Jide Falola, while giving ruling in a case filed by Alhaji Nasiru Oyeniyi, head of Gbaemu compound and Pa Clau-dious Fayoyiwa, head of Olu-Awooba compound, on behalf of Sogbo Ruling House against Oba Oye-tunji and the kingmakers, ordered that Olanipekun should vacate the throne with immediate effect.

He also ordered him to stop parading himself as Ataoja of Osogbo.

Justice Falola, in his ruling, said “I wish to point out that there is no dispute that this suit was instituted before the applicant (Oyetunji Olani-pekun) was appointed as the Ataoja and consequently installed by one of the defendants in this case (former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola).”

The judge added that “after the installation matter degenerated, it led to the filling of application for setting aside of the installation of the appointment of Oyetunji as the Ataoja before Justice Yinka Aderibigbe, who subsequently set aside Oyetunji’s installation on February 18, 2011.

“He has not given any reason why he finds it difficult to comply with the court order that set aside his installation and still come to court referring to himself as Ataoja of Osogboland.

“Oyetunji appears to be poking his finger at the eyes of the court, by disregarding the earlier court order.

“It is necessary to react promptly and declare that under the law, there is no Ataoja of Osogbo on the throne currently. The applicant (Oyetunji) is an impostor. The instrument of office has been withdrawn by a valid and subsisting order of this court since February 18, 2011.

“The right, which he claimed to have, is declared illegal and withdrawn and he cannot be recognised as the Ataoja of Osogbo until it is reversed by the Appeal Court.”

Shortly after the ruling, people of Osogbo trooped out in large number to jubilate over the removal of Olanipekun as Ataoja of Osogbo.

The people, mostly youths, in a peaceful protest, took to the street and marched to the office of the state commissioner of police, while demanding full implementation of court order by ejecting Olani-pekun from the palace.

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