The Ogun State High Court sitting in Idi-Oke/Igbesa has struck out a suit challenging the leadership of the Okewaye Ruling House in Ado-Odo, Awori land, following a notice of discontinuance filed by the claimants.
The development brings a fresh turn to the protracted family leadership dispute, with Prince (Chief) Sulaimon Babatunde Adedimeji maintaining his position as the recognised Olori Ebi of the ruling house under an earlier consent judgment.
Counsel to Adedimeji, Dr. Olumide Ayeni (SAN), disclosed this while addressing journalists after proceedings before Justice N.O. Durojaiye on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The case, with suit number HCI/19/2024, centred on the leadership tussle in the Okewaye Ruling House, which Ayeni said had earlier been resolved through a consent judgment delivered by the court on May 5, 2026.
Ayeni explained that the parties involved in the settlement had agreed that Adedimeji was the authentic head of family, of the Okewaye Ruling House, adding that the agreement was adopted by the court in a consent judgment delivered on May 5, 2026.
According to him, the claimants subsequently instructed their legal team to discontinue the suit, prompting the filing of a notice of discontinuance at about 9:35 a.m. on May 6, 2026, saying this occurred before the motion for a stay of execution of the consent judgment was filed by the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government authorities.
The senior lawyer stated that the court, at its proceedings on October 12, had adjourned the matter to enable it to examine the circumstances surrounding the competing applications, including the request by another party to join the suit.
Ayeni said the court, after examining the facts on Tuesday, agreed with the position of his legal team that the notice of discontinuance had been filed before the application for a stay of execution.
He added that the court also considered that the defendants had not filed a defence to the claim for about three years and that there was little purpose in allowing another party to join a suit the claimants had already discontinued.
He maintained that the court’s pronouncement affirmed the effect of the earlier consent judgment, under which Prince Adedimeji was recognised as the Olori Ebi of the Okewaye Ruling House.
In his message following the conclusion of the litigation, Adedimeji expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah, his family members, legal representatives, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Ado-Odo for their support and prayers throughout the dispute.
He particularly acknowledged the contributions of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hazmat; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olusina Ogungbade (SAN); and officials of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government.
The newly confirmed family head also commended traditional rulers, including the Olofin of Iseri-Mole, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade; the Olota of Ota, Oba AbdulKabir Obalanlege; and the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Luqmon Kuoye, for their roles during the dispute.
He equally appreciated the Ado-Odo Awori Elders Council, religious organisations, market men and women, youths and other stakeholders for their efforts towards restoring peace.
Adedimeji, however, said the conclusion of the litigation should pave the way for a fresh, transparent and fair process that would allow all eligible members of the Okewaye Ruling House to participate, subject to approval by the relevant authorities, urging members of the family to learn from past disagreements, unite and work towards the development of Ado-Odo Kingdom.
