The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has reinstated Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso, overturning a previous High Court ruling that nullified his appointment. This judgment brings an end to months of legal battles over the traditional stool.
Justice Yargata Nimpar, leading a three-member panel, ruled in favor of Oba Olaoye on all ten grounds of appeal. The court found that the Oyo State High Court had overstepped its jurisdiction in nullifying the monarch’s selection.
The legal dispute began when Prince Muhammed Kabir Olaoye, a contestant for the throne, challenged the selection process, claiming it violated the 1958 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration. However, the Court of Appeal ruled that the High Court failed to recognize internal dispute resolution mechanisms required by law, leading to the reversal of the initial judgment.
With this ruling, Oba Olaoye’s position as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso is legally affirmed. His appointment fills the vacuum left by the death of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III in December 2021.
Oba Olaoye, a former pastor and businessman, was duly selected by the kingmakers and approved by the Oyo State Government before legal disputes delayed his ascension. The new ruling clears the way for him to fully assume his royal duties.
Celebrations erupted in Ogbomoso following the judgment, with residents welcoming the court’s decision. Many expressed hope that Oba Olaoye’s leadership would bring peace, unity, and progress to the town.
With the legal battle now over, Oba Ghandi Olaoye is expected to focus on governance, community development, and preserving the cultural heritage of Ogbomoso.
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