Court removes Onipokia of Ipokia

Court removes Onipokia of Ipokia
….As High court sets aside the installation

Hon. Justice Gbenga Ogungowora of the High Court of Ogun State sitting in Abeokuta thursday March 3, 2022 has made definitive orders setting-aside the installation of Mr. Yisa Olaniyan as Onipokia of Opokia .
This was sequel to the action brought before the court in Suit No. AB/253/2019.
It was titled PRINCE ADE ASADE & 3 ORS VS GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE.
The Judge, who did not hide his displeasures, berated the action of the Defendants in installing the 11th Defendant (Yisa Olaniyan) as Onipokia of Opokia.

Before delivering the judgement,the Judge first delivered a ruling on the Motion for Stay of Proceedings pending the appeal filed by the Defendants.

The Learned Judge upheld the arguments of PROF. YEMI OKE, who led 3 other lawyers for the Claimants and dismissed the Motion for Stay of Proceedings.

In the second ruling in respect of the Motion filed by the Claimants to set-aside the installation of Yisa Olaniyan as Onipokia of Ipokia by the Government of Ogun State, the jurist also upheld the submissions of PROF. YEMI OKE, lead Counsel for the Claimants and made the following orders:
(1) That the purported installation of the 11th Defendant as Onipokia of Ipokia is HEREBY SET-ASIDE
(2) The purported installation is an act of Executive Reckleness that should never be allowed as it was done in reckless violation of judicial Proceedings at a time the Motion on Notice for an Order of Injunction restraining the Defendants from installing the 11th Defendant was pending in Court, and parties have exchanged their papers.
(3) The installation of the 11th Defendant was a pre-emptive act to arrest the likely outcome of the Motion for Injunction.
(4) THE INSTALLATION OF THE 11TH DEFENDANT AS ONIPOKIA OF IPOKIA IS HEREBY SETS-ASIDE.
(5) Matter adjourned to the 18th May, 2022 for the hearing of the pending Motion for an Order of Injunction.

By the above ruling, it means, IPOKIALAND HAS NO OBA IN THE PALACE. The 11th Defendant, Yisa Olaniyan can no longer wear the crown or enter the Palace or perform any functions or roles of Onipokia of Ipokia.
He cannot be accorded such recognition by the OLU OF ILARO, and other Kabiyesis. Doing otherwise will lead imprisonment for Contempt of Court.
The ruling may also mean that the Palace may be locked-up to avoid a breakdown of law and Order as a result of this development, as no one can act as Onipokia of Ipokia under all legal battles are resolved.

Full copy of enrolled order and rulings will be made public shortly.
It will be recalled that the deposed Oba was installed the 46th Onipokia of Ipokia land,Yewa South on August 17,2020 and handed tne instrument of office in a well attended.
The state Governor Dapo Abiodun was represented by commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs Honorable Afolabi Afuape.
Source: Independent Judicial Correppndence, High Court of Justice, Isabo, Abeokuta
March 3, 2022