The Olukun of Ikun Akoko, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola JP, in the Akoko South West local government area of ondo state has joined his ancestors at 71.

According to the statement issued and signed by Elder Titus Orimijupa, the president Ikun Akoko Progressive Union announcing the death confirmed the monarch died in Lagos Teaching Hospital after a brief illness.

“On behalf of the entire good people of Ikun-Akoko in Akoko SouthWest Local Government Area of Ondo State the Ikun-Akoko Progressive Union announce with deep sense of loss the glorious home call of the Olukun of Ikun-Akoko His Royal Majesty Pastor Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola, JP who joined his ancestors on 23rd January 2024 in Lagos University Teaching Hospital after a brief illness. He was installed the Olukun of Ikun-Akoko on 10th May 2003. He reigned for twenty years and eight months.”

In accordance with the customs and traditions of the people of Ikun-Akoko, which provides that all traditional rites of passage befitting of the holder of the title of Olukun of Ikun-Akoko that has joined his forebearers be concluded within three months of his joining his ancestors before a formal announcement of his passing is made, a formal announcement of his passing was therefore made on Tuesday 23rd April 2024.

According to Orimijupa, all traditional rites of passage expected to have been done for an Olukun of Ikun-Akoko that has joined his ancestors have been done within the three months window allowed before the announcement of the demise of Olukun of Ikun-Akoko, HRM Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola, JP.

He noted that, “HRM Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola will be remembered for his leadership qualities and the numerous developmental projects he facilitated to the community during his reign as the Olukun of Ikun-Akoko.

As the people of Ikun-Akoko mourn the loss of this great leader and a symbol of unity, we passionately request for your prayers for his immediate family, the Odeolukun Ruling House and the entire good people of Ikun-Akoko.

Therefore the family of the late Monarch in conjunction with the Odeolukun Ruling House and the entire Ikun-Akoko community have fixed Saturday 4th May 2024 as the day to celebrate the times and life of the late Monarch.

“The Government of Ondo State and the entire good people of the state and Nigeria are respectfully invited to the celebration of Life.

May his rest in peace.

With a view to avoiding vacuum, the Odeolukun Ruling House, in line with extant traditional requirements has nominated and installed Princess Bolanle Deborah Jacob as the Regent of the stool of Olukun of Ikun-Akoko on Tuesday 23rd April 2024. The Akoko SouthWest Local Government of Ondo State has been formally notified of this development.

Thank you”

The Oluwo Alaafin of Oyo, Chief Ikusaanu lfaleye lyanda, has filed a petition against the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Akinade Ayoola, over alleged criminal conspiracy, threat to life and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace in oyo town, Oyo State.

The petition, signed by the lawyer to Oluwo, M.R. Idowu Esq, was addressed to Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamzat.

“We act as Solicitors to Chief Ikusaanu lfaleye lyanda (Oluwo Alaafin of Oyo Town) (Hereinafter referred to as our Client) and pursuant to whose instructions we write this petition.

“It is the instructions of our client that on the April 8, 2024, Chief Yussuf Akinade Ayoola (Bashorun of Oyo Town) invited the Oluwo lsheke of Oyo Town in person of Chief Ifaniyi Omoyeni Ayinla to his home. He subsequently told Chief Ifaniyi Omoyeni Ayinla to go and warn our client that failure to support his choice to ascend the throne of Alaafin would subject our client to facing his wrath as the Prime Minister of Oyo kingdom.

“Furthermore, Chief Yussuf Akinade Ayoola (Bashorun of Oyo Town) boasted openly that he would harm various unknown individuals with various kinds of dangerous weapons to maliciously and intentionally attack our client, if our client fails to succumb to his threatening demands and command.

“Sir, as if that was not enough, Chief Yussuf Akinade Ayoola (Bashorun of Oyo Town) has now resorted to threatening fire and brimstones and warned our client not to move freely within Oyo Town and its environs. He boasted in strong words to get rid of our client and also terminate our client’s chieftaincy title.

“Sir, it is our fear that if these reckless criminal activities and threats are allowed to continue unabated, the situation might snowball into intractable civil unrest in the entire community and its neighbouring areas.

“This development has brought untold hardship and discomfort to our client.

“We, therefore, humbly request that our complaint be investigated by your good office and if found culpable, the said guilty individual be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, threat to life and conduct likely to cause the breach of public peace,” the petition read.

An Oyo High Court sitting in Awe, Afijio Local Council of Oyo State, has struck out a case filed by kingmakers in Oyo (Oyo Mesi) against Governor Seyi Makinde, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo over administrative defect.

It would be recalled that the Alaafin stool became vacant following the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III at 82. Selecting the next Alaafin has since then become a subject of litigation.

The claimants in the suit no HOY/14/2023 are the Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yusuf Layinka; Lagunna of Oyo, Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Bashorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

The claimants were seeking a court injunction restraining Makinde and his agents from overruling their choice on the selected candidate for the vacant stool.

According to them, “due diligence was followed in the selection/appointment of the candidate for filling the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo duly conducted by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.”

While ruling on the notice of preliminary objection as filed by the defendants, Justice Ladiran Akintola said there was no proof of service to notify the governor of the outcome of the selection process as carried out by the kingmakers.

The failure to serve the notice of the outcome on the governor made the court strike out the case.

The court ruled: “This court found merit in the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the defendants/applicants against the claimants/respondents in this case.

“The same succeeds; accordingly all the issues raised for determination of this court by learned counsels on both sides are thereby resolved in favour of the defendants/applicants but against the claimants/respondents.

“Consequently, the suit initiated by the claimants/respondents in this case against the defendants/applicants is thereby struck out.”

The lead counsel for the claimants, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), yesterday said a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal have been filed at the Court of Appeal and Oyo High Court respectively.

Sobaloju said the judgment was based on a preliminary objection filed by the defendants.

He said: “We have filed a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal. What was considered on Tuesday was the notice for preliminary objection. The merit of the case is yet to be considered.”