Fusengbuwa Ruling House Takes Ogun Government to Court Over Awujale Selection
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has approached the Ogun State High Court, asking the court to compel the state government and the Awujale kingmakers to resume and conclude the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
The legal action comes months after the selection process for the vacant traditional stool was suspended by the state government, leaving the process involving 95 nominees unresolved.
Awujale Stool Remains Vacant After Oba Adetona’s Death
The Awujale stool became vacant following the death of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.
Following his death, 95 people, comprising 94 princes and one princess from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House — expressed interest in succeeding the late monarch.
The selection process, however, became embroiled in controversy after the Ogun State Government cancelled the exercise on December 11, 2025, directing the ruling house to restart the process in accordance with the relevant chieftaincy law.
The government said the step was necessary to ensure that the process complied with the law and to prevent prolonged legal disputes over the eventual choice of a new Awujale.
Government Suspended Selection Process Again
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House was later cleared by the state government to resume the process through a letter dated January 6, 2026.
However, barely two weeks later, the government suspended the exercise again.
In a January 20 directive, the government instructed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council and other parties involved in the process to await further instructions.
The government maintained that the suspension was intended to protect peace and preserve the integrity of the traditional institution.
The latest court action has now brought the dispute before the judiciary.
Ruling House Challenges Palace Lockdown in Court
The suit, marked HCJ/149/2026, was filed at the High Court of Justice, Ijebu-Ode Judicial Division, and sworn to on August 21, 2026.
The case was instituted by Otunba AbduLateef Adebayo Owoyemi, the Oloriebi and Family Chairman; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, the Family Deputy Chairman; and Prof. Fassy Yusuf, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
The claimants listed the Ogun State Government, members of the Awujale kingmakers’ council and other officials among the defendants, including the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat.
At the centre of the suit is the alleged lockdown of the Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode, which the ruling house claims was carried out by security operatives acting on the instructions of the state government.
According to the claimants, the action prevented the kingmakers from meeting to select a candidate from the list of nominees.
Police Allegedly Stopped Kingmakers From Meeting
The ruling house alleged that police officers stormed the Awujale Palace shortly after midnight on January 20, 2026, less than 24 hours after the list of nominees had been submitted.
The claimants said the intervention prevented the kingmakers from carrying out their statutory responsibility of selecting a preferred candidate from among the 95 nominees.
They are asking the court to determine whether the state government had the legal authority to interfere with the selection process after it had commenced.
The ruling house also wants the court to declare the alleged interference unlawful and order the relevant parties to continue the process.
Bribery Allegations Disputed by Ruling House
Another issue raised in the case concerns allegations of bribery and financial inducement involving some of those participating in the selection process.
The claimants alleged that Ganiyu Hamzat petitioned the Eleweeran Police Station in Abeokuta on February 2, 2026, requesting that members of the kingmakers’ council and principal officers of the ruling house be invited for questioning.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House has rejected the allegations, arguing that no evidence or formal petition establishing the claims was presented to them.
The claimants further maintained that investigations allegedly conducted by the police and the Department of State Services did not establish any wrongdoing.
Ruling House Wants Court to Order Selection Within Seven Days
In its case before the court, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is asking for a declaration that the nomination process was validly completed.
The claimants argue that the kingmakers are legally required under Sections 16(1)(e) and (f) of the applicable chieftaincy law to select a candidate from the submitted list and forward the name to the State Executive Council.
They also argue that Section 22 of the law requires the Executive Council to act on the selection made by the kingmakers.
Among the reliefs being sought is an order directing the kingmakers to reconvene within seven days of judgment and complete the selection process.
The ruling house is also seeking an injunction preventing the state government and security agencies from further interfering with the process.
Legal Battle Could Determine Next Step in Awujale Succession
Counsel to the claimants, led by Otunba Olusegun Otayemi, argued in the originating summons that Ogun State’s chieftaincy law establishes a clear sequence involving nomination, selection and approval.
The legal team contends that once the process has been properly initiated, the relevant authorities are required to perform their statutory responsibilities in the order prescribed by law.
The lawyers also relied on previous judicial decisions, including Menakaya v. Menakaya and Garba v. University of Maiduguri, in advancing their arguments concerning statutory duties and fair hearing.
