The Abeokuta High Court on Tuesday sacked the Olu of Ilawo, Oba Alexander Macgregor and stop him from parading himself as the traditional ruler of the community pending the determination of the suit against the processes that led to his nomination.
Penpushing reports that the trial judge, Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi gave the ruling in a suit filed by Ogunsanya- Ariku Royal Family of Ilawo, to stop the installation and declare Macgregor’s claim to the throne invalid.
The judge condemned the government’s action in proceeding with the installation of Macgregor despite pronouncement to stop further action pending the determination of the court cases, describing government indifference as an act of impunity and disregard for the rule of law and the court.
Penpushing further reports that Majekodunmi emphasized that once a case is before the court, all parties involved in the dispute are under legally bound not to take any action that could undermine the integrity of the court.
The court equally granted an order of mandatory injunction restraining Macgregor from parading himself as the Olu of Ilawo and restoring the Olu of Orile Ilawo stool to the way it was, stressing that the status qou ante should be maintained.
Penpushing also reports that Majekodunmi in similar vein ordered the withdrawal of all instruments and staff of office and other symbols of authority that had been wrong lyrics appropriated and bestowed on Macgregor by the government be withdrawn forthwith.
The Ogunsanya- Ariku family had approached the court after warrant chiefs approved by Ilawo tradition council of chiefs were allegedly shortchanged and substituted with strange name for the purpose of nomination and selection of the candidate to fill the stool of Olu of Orile Ilawo, after the death of the former monarch on December 24, 2021.
Penpushing reports that the family had sought the court intervention to halt the installation process, challenging Macgregor’s claim to the throne.
The Secretary to the Aiku and Ogunsanya dynasty, Dr David Ogunsanya while speaking with journalists commended the judiciary for upholding justice, emphasizing that the family was eleated that Macgregor was removed by a competent court
“In cognizance of the reality of the fact that government and particularly Mr Olusegun Macgregor remained adamant and seem uncautionable, the stakeholders of all the villages in Orile Ilawo headed by Ogunsanya – Ariku family resorted to litigation as peace loving people that would not want to adopt violence that could result to communal clashes’, he said.
‘Today, we are elated to brief the distinguished members of the press that the installation of Mr Olusegun Macgregor has been nullified and discarded by a competent court of jurisdiction with an order to henceforth desist from parading himself as the Olu of Orile Ilawo’, Ogunsanya added.
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