Court sacks Afolabi Olaoye as Soun, orders fresh selection process

A High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Wednesday, nullified the selection and installation of Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.

The state government had announced Olaoye as the new Soun and the kingmakers of the town installed him on September 8, 2023.

However Prince Kabir Olaoye, one of the contenders for the Soun of Ogbomoso stool, had dragged Ghandi to court, saying he was not eligible for the position of Soun of Ogbomoso.

The presiding judge, Justice K.A. Adedokun, while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Kabir, had restrained the Governor, Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State either by themselves, agents or officials from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of certificate of installation to Ghandi pending the hearing and final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.

Kabir said the selection of Ghandi did not follow due process and the Ogbomoso cheiftaincy declaration.

He then prayed the court to nullify the Ghandi’s selection and installation as well as order the kingmakers to commence a fresh selection process.

Justice Adedokun, in the judgement delivered judgement on Thursday, nullified the selection and installation of Ghandi as Soun of Ogbomoso and ordered the kingmakers to commence a fresh process to select a new monarch for the town.