…affirms Ajibade as Acting Head, Clears Path for Installation of New Olu
The Ogun State High Court sitting in Ilaro has brought to an end a protracted three-year leadership crisis in Igbogila, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, nullifying the suspension of five traditional chiefs and restoring the Igbogila Council of Chiefs to its pre-dispute status.
In a landmark judgment delivered on June 2, 2026, Justice I.B. Awofeso adopted the terms of a settlement agreement reached by parties in Suit No. HCY/03/2023, thereby paving the way for reconciliation, stability and the installation of a new Olu of Igbogila.
The suit was instituted by ten chiefs led by the Basorun of Igbogila, Chief Akinlolu A. Ajibade, on behalf of the Igbogila Council of Chiefs, challenging actions that allegedly led to the suspension of some members of the council and interference in the administration of the traditional institution.
The claimants sought declarations that under Yoruba, Yewa and Igbogila native laws and customs, princes of a ruling house have no authority to interfere with or usurp powers vested in the Olu of Igbogila and the Council of Chiefs in the discharge of their statutory and customary responsibilities.
They also urged the court to invalidate the purported suspension of five traditional chiefs and restrain individuals alleged to have interfered in the affairs of the traditional institution.
Court records showed that the matter was initially handled by Justice O.S. Oloyede, who on June 26, 2024 advised the parties to explore an amicable resolution and subsequently referred the dispute to the Multi-Door Courthouse in Abeokuta for mediation.
Although the mediation process involved several reconciliation meetings, only the claimants and the 11th and 12th defendants eventually reached a compromise, while the 2nd to 10th defendants reportedly withdrew from the process.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court had struck out the names of the 2nd to 10th defendants after finding that they had no constitutional role in the operations of the Igbogila Council of Chiefs. Following that decision, the claimants withdrew their claims against them.
Under the settlement terms adopted as the judgment of the court, the parties agreed to restore the Igbogila Council of Chiefs to the composition that existed as of November 12, 2022. The agreement also declared the purported suspension and removal of five chiefs invalid, on the grounds that the action was not carried out by the late Olu of Igbogila, Oba Ebenezer Osungade Olanloye, and therefore lacked legitimacy.
Counsel to the claimants, A.I. Ogunbade, urged the court to adopt the settlement agreement as its judgment, a position supported by counsel to the 11th and 12th defendants.
Justice Awofeso subsequently entered judgment in line with the agreed terms contained in paragraphs one, three, four, five and six of the settlement agreement dated August 15, 2025.
The court further ordered the immediate resumption of meetings and sittings of the Igbogila Council of Chiefs in a peaceful and open atmosphere, free from rancour and hostility.
Significantly, the court recognised Chief Akinlolu Ajibade as the Acting Head of the Igbogila Council of Chiefs pending the selection and installation of a substantive Olu of Igbogila.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the claimants, Mr. Adegbenro Ogungbade, described the ruling as a victory for justice, due process and the preservation of Igbogila’s customs and traditions.
According to him, the judgment restores the traditional council to its lawful composition and reaffirms the principle that traditional institutions must be administered in accordance with established native laws, customs and due process.
He noted that the judgment also reaffirmed the authority of duly appointed chiefs under the Chiefs Law of Ogun State, while laying a firm foundation for peace and reconciliation in the community.
Ogungbade expressed optimism that all stakeholders would embrace the spirit of the settlement and support the process leading to the emergence of a new monarch for the town.
Also speaking, the Elemo of Igbogila, Chief Semiu K. Banmeke, described the judgment as a triumph for justice, peace and the preservation of the community’s traditional heritage.
He said the ruling had resolved issues that threatened the unity of the traditional institution and would strengthen cohesion among stakeholders.
Banmeke disclosed that the process for the selection and installation of a new Olu of Igbogila would commence soon, expressing confidence that the exercise would be conducted peacefully and without rancour.
He commended the Ogun State Judiciary, the state government, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Governor Dapo Abiodun, youths and indigenes of Igbogila, as well as media practitioners, for their support towards the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
According to him, the judgment has restored the traditional council with all its powers and responsibilities and opened a new chapter of unity, peace and development for the ancient town.
